Groton Senior Center Open as Respite Center; Red Cross Shelter Closed

The Groton Senior Center will be open as a respite center for people who don’t have power or need hot showers, Red Cross Shelter Manager Julie Gagne said Tuesday.

The emergency shelter at Fitch High School closed at 10 a.m. Tuesday, and residents that needed power for oxygen were sent to the senior center, she said. The shelter housed 280 people overnight Monday, she said.

The senior center is expected to remain open until 9 p.m. today, but that may change depending on the need. The senior center number is (860) 441-6785.

Connecticut Light and Power reported 5,435 customers without power in Groton as of 3:30 p.m.

Groton Utilities also posted a message on its website saying it is working to assess the damage caused by the hurricane and restoring power as quickly as possible.

“We have already made considerable progress in the restoration of electric service to many of the homes and businesses who lost power during the storm,” the website said. “We ask for your patience as we work to bring electric service back to all of our customers.”

The Groton City website reported that its drinking water is safe to drink. The Water Treatment Plant was not damaged in the storm, the website said.

Groton Public Schools had not yet announced whether schools would be open Wednesday.