Long Lots Elementary School is open 24 hours as a shelter for Westport residents and pets for the duration and aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
According to Margaret Pinheiro of the Department of Human Services, the Long Lots shelter can provide 140 residents with cots and Chartwells’ food service.
“We were done in 24 hours for Irene, but we think this is going to be all week,” Pinheiro said.
Many have vacated their homes and are using the shelter as a precautionary measure in case trees or flooding restrict access to or from homes.
Carole Petray, a Westporter from the Saugatuck area, is a veteran to the Long Lots shelter, as Irene also impacted her home.
“I can’t speak highly enough of how courteous and helpful the Department of Human Services, the town, and the Red Cross has been. I’m highly impressed with all that they have provided us with,” Petray said.
