Shelter Is Open

The Red Cross has opened the shelter at East Lyme Middle School on 31 Society Road, and the first residents have begun to trickle in.

“We are afraid we are going to get stuck with no power ,” said Jane, who didn’t want to give her last name, and was at the shelter. “There is only road out from Giants Neck (where she lives), and if its gets flooded we can’t get out.”

The shelter is open to Waterford, East Lyme, Lyme and Old Lyme residents. The Red Cross has 370 cots, along with snacks for people. Also, nurses are on duty at the shelter.

Older people, people who have special medical needs and people who live in areas where flooding has happened should go to the shelter, First Selectman Dan Steward said. Any resident can drive themselves, or go to the local fire house and they will be driven by a fireman, Steward said.

The shelter also allows animals, although they should be in a cage and people should bring their own food, Red Cross Shelter Manager Jim Newman said. Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control Officer Robert Yuchniuk will be overseeing the animals.

People should get here as soon as possible if they are planning to evacuate, Newman said. Steward advised all travelers to stay off the road if winds reach 55 mph.