Emergency Operations Center, Shelter Open

Dealing with more damage than what was caused by Hurricane Irene, Windsor officials opened the town Emergency Operations Center at Town Hall Sunday morning and are staffing the multi-line telephone operation around the clock.

The number, 860-285-1883, is for non-emergency assistance, according to Town Manager Peter Souza.

Windsor officials are making every effort to get all roads clear and assist residents in need, including making the town's shelter at the L.P. Wilson Community Center, one of the few generator-powered buildings in town, open to the public.

The emergency line and shelter are short-term fixes for immediate problems, Souza said.

As the number of days without power increases, the town will have to rely on information and services provided at the state level, such as food and water distribution, Souza said Sunday.

Souza said he and town emergency staff are keeping up to date with the latest information coming from the governor's office and Connecticut Light and Power.

As of Sunday afternoon, state officials and CL&P crews were preparing to assess the damage caused by Winter Storm Alfred, which was greater that that caused by Hurricane Irene, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.

The extent of damage done, including problems with 44 transformers throughout the state, is the main reason residents should expect to be without power for an extended period of time, likely more than one week, Malloy said Sunday.