The number of people without power locally is dwindling.
As of this morning, Connecticut Light & Power reported that 81 or 0.56 percent of its Naugatuck customers were still without power. In Beacon Falls there were 18 or 0.68 percent of customers powerless and nine customers in Prospect or 0.23 were still in the dark.
With the prolonged power outages, the three towns and aid organizations have stepped forward to help those without power.
Yesterday, the American Red Cross showed up in the borough with prepackaged meals, sandwiches, crackers, chips and water for those who were without power for days on end.
“I think it’s very nice of them to do that,” said Diane Conway, 64, yesterday as she walked out of the Oak Terrace maintenance building carrying a bag full of food.
Red Cross volunteers had about 360 meals on hand at Oak Terrace on Conrad Street all afternoon. They had distributed more than 70 meals by 3 p.m. Distribution moved to Hop Brook Elementary School at 5 p.m., where Mayor Robert Mezzo said enough meals would be on hand for 500 people. Some of the meals were picked up from the U.S. National Guard at the University of Connecticut’s Rentschler Field by borough staffers.
The borough requested the service after its emergency management team received several calls from residents living on fixed incomes who will not receive their welfare or social security checks until today, Fire Chief Ken Hanks said. Many had food spoil and were left without the means to buy replacement meals, Hanks said.
Also, last night, a group of borough residents, who wish to remain anonymous, came together to host a free pasta dinner at the Old Corner Café for people without power.
In Beacon Falls, showers at the Woodland Regional High School were made available and residents without power can still use them today.
The showers will be available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and residents are asked to use the entrance from the back parking lot at the school, 135 Back Rimmon Road.
Beacon Falls esidents who require oxygen also can call the firehouse at (203) 729-1470 for assistance.
Beacon Falls residents can also leave debris at the roadside for pickup but make sure it doesn’t block the street.
In Prospect water was being given out behind the firehouse for residents to use.
The hope is that power will be fully restored locally by the end of today.
