Residents were told that there was a storm-related death, and that there were 2 instances of storm-related looting.
MONSON - On the night that Monson High School's class of 2011 was supposed to graduate, residents and students instead packed into Quarry Hill Community School to hear about recovery efforts after tornadoes tore through the heart of downtown and decimated neighborhoods.
School Superintendent Patrice L. Dardenne had all the seniors who were supposed to graduate Friday night stand up for the crowd. They were met with a round of applause.
The graduation ceremony will be held on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. at the Granite Valley Middle School soccer field on Thompson Street.
Dardenne said the ceremony will incorporate class day, also canceled due to the storm.
Graduation will be held on the one-week anniversary of the devastating tornadoes.
It is being held outside "so the entire community can celebrate," Dardenne said. "I expect that the weather will be brilliant sunshine and that there will be no rain."
"We will celebrate the kids ... We will celebrate that we are all together," Dardenne said.
Residents also were told that there was a storm-related death, and that there were two instances of storm-related looting.
Monson Fire Chief George L. Robichaud said there was one fatality due to "a medical issue that was probably brought on by the disaster." He said the person was taken to Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, then airlifted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Within 24 hours, the person passed away, he said. No other details were available.
The Rev. Robert Marrone of the First Church of Monson on High Street said community meals will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for residents, courtesy of "Chicopee" and "Belchertown."
He said the church, which lost its steeple, has plenty of supplies, from diapers, sunscreen, bug spray and toothbrushes to food, blankets and pet food. Those who want to volunteer can go to the church, he said. Marrone also encouraged people to come to the church to eat.
"We are almost overflowing with food right now," Marrone said. "We are open 24 hours a day for anything you might need."
Robichaud reassured the residents, saying, "We are going to get through this." Progress is being made, he said.
Police Chief Stephen Kozloski Jr. said that traffic is a problem, and said those who do not have business in town, need to stay out so the emergency crews can do their jobs. There is a parking ban along Main Street.
Electronic signboards are being used around town to inform residents as some still do not have Internet or telephone service. Additional police and National Guardsmen have been called in to help patrol and prevent looting, he said.
Robichaud said officials feel confident that everyone has been accounted for, noting four "sweeps" of the affected areas have been completed. Ely Road, downtown Main Street, the neighborhood behind the Town Office Building including Bethany Road and Stewart Avenue, as well as East Hill Road and Pinnacle Road were the hardest hit as the tornado cut a brutal swath.
Robichaud said 45 homes have significant damage, with some missing entirely. Home after home was demolished on Stewart Avenue and Bethany Road.
Of the 40 people treated by medical personnel, 10 were brought to the hospital, he said.
Robichaud said the drinking water is fine and was not affected.
As of 5 p.m., 96 percent of the town had power, leaving 200 to 300 customers without it. A National Grid official said more homes will have electricity Saturday.
Meanwhile, a Red Cross shelter has been set up at at Quarry Hill Community School, which also has supplies; representatives will be there to help displaced residents with long-term housing.
Said Highway Surveyor John R. Morrell, "Thank God we're all safe. We're all here."
Morrell said all roads are now open.