NORWICH – With upwards of 2,000 people still without power across Chenango County following tropical storm Irene’s bombardment of the east coast, the American Red Cross is setting up a Day Services Center at the Chenango Campus of DCMO BOCES, Route 32 in the Town of North Norwich, which opens today.

According to Sharon Aswad, chief program and response officer for the south central region of the American Red Cross, the center will be open sometime today until power is completely restored. A hot meal will be served at 5 p.m. and hot showers will be available.

Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matt Beckwith said NYSEG is expected to have the majority of its restoration effort completed by late Friday or – in some areas – Saturday. For some residents, however, the wait will be longer, due to electrical inspections and other issues beyond NYSEG’s control.

“We’re making progress, but there was so much wind damage, there were so many downed lines and so many trees knocked down,” stated Beckwith. “NYSEG has been working day and night and they’re doing the best they can.”