Warming centres open in communities left shivering after Sunday storm

Warming centres are open or opening in several Island communities, offering welcome respite from the wintry conditionsfor residents whose power was knocked out by a storm earlier this week.

The centres opened Monday in the Murray Harbour Community Centre, Cardigan Fire Hall and the former school in Lower Montague while another is scheduled to open at the Montague Food Bank Tuesday at 8 a.m..

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A storm Sunday night into Monday morning that dropped up to 18 centimetres of snow in some areas knocked out power to thousands across the Island, with eastern P.E.I. the hardest hit.

Maritime Electric struggled to fix power lines downed in high winds and heavy, wet snow and alerted Islanders that many would not see power restored until Tuesday night or Wednesday.

Phone lines were also out of service, including the Murray Harbour Community Centre, reporter Natalia Goodwin told CBC News: Compass anchor Bruce Rainnie at about 6 p.m. Monday.

B.Y.O. sleeping bag

Murray Harbour community council chair Gary Herring told CBC about 150 people had been through the centre Monday, enjoying hot soup and coffee. Those who came helped cook meals, using about 18 loaves of bread at lunch.

The community centre would stay open all night and until power is restored to the area, Herring said people just need to bring their own sleeping bags or blankets if they want to catch some shuteye.

People in Murray Harbour were taking the inconvenience in stride, playing cards and games, chatting and playing table tennis.

"So it's really been a community get together here, it's been very orderly, nobody's been worked up," said Herring.

"They've felt great that we've had this community centrein this area for everybody,not just Murray Harbour but the whole area. "

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Many who used the Murray Harbour centre were temporary foreign workers, working at the lobster processing plant. Marie Lan said girls in her apartment were using two blankets to stay warm Sunday night.

"We are very warm now because of all the people, and all the Canadian people's help," she said.

Sonny Loiucouldn't thank the people in Murray Harbour enough.

"Outside is too cold but inside I feel very warm," he said.

"Canadianfriends give me too much help."

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