Need a Place to Warm Up?

Because thousands of Westporters are without power, a few community centers have opened their doors as warming locations for people looking for refuge from the cold.

The Westport Public Library is open until 9 p.m. and the Westport Weston Family Y is open until 10 p.m.

The Westport Center for Senior Activities stayed open until 8 p.m. today, and served dinner to those in need. If anyone is in need of a place to stay tonight, the senior center referred them to the Saint Aloysius Parish in New Canaan that's been set up as an emergency shelter, located at 40 Maple Street in New Canaan.

Barbara Butler, Director of Human Services for the Town of Westport, said only one person has asked the senior center about shelter today. She doesn't see the need for Westport to open an overnight shelter, but she said many people have stopped by to warm up and enjoy a hot meal.

"It's nice to have a hot meal and then go home and hop into bed," she said. "People have been coming by today to recharge cell phones, use the wireless Internet, take naps or even do their taxes."

Butler said the human services department has had many calls from relatives of Westport senior citizens, inquiring about their family members they might not be able to reach by phone. The department tries to get in touch with them and will call emergency services if necessary.

Westporter Peter Holland, who lives near Daybreak Nurseries, said his out-of-town son insisted he go to the senior center to get out of his unheated home.

"It's freezing in there," he said Monday night. "(My son) wanted me to be warm and have a telephone that worked."

Holland said he wasn't able to get out of his driveway until Monday because of a large tree blocking it. He hired a company to come and remove the tree.

"I'm waiting for the power company to come take down the big tree that's kept the power out," he said.

Butler said she doesn't recall another storm in Westport with damage that was this widespread.

"I don't remember anything quite this extreme," she said.

While the senior center was relatively calm Monday evening, The Westport Public Library was packed and has been so all day. It is open until 9 p.m. all week for people who need to escape dark, cold homes.

The Westport Weston Family Y is open to members and non-members until 10 p.m. tonight. On Tuesday, the Y is opening at 5 a.m. to offer showers to anyone who can't do so at home. 

Family Y CEO Rob Reeves said many people came in Monday morning to shower before heading into New York City for work. 

He said no one has been standing in line for a shower but the Y has been "pleasantly overwhelmed."

"Until we know there is ample coverage for people who need electricty, we'll stay open for them — until Wednesday for sure," Reeves said. "We are a big part of the community and we'll do as much as we can for them."