NORWOOD— The American Red Cross emergency shelter at Norwood Norfolk Central School will close at noon Thursday.

The shelter was created Tuesday night for Potsdam residents displaced by Tuesday’s powerful thunderstorm, which collapsed several roofs and left thousands without power.

Kelly Hecker, emergency services manager for the Northern New York Red Cross chapter, said one woman whose apartment building was damaged spent the night on Tuesday.

Original indictions, however, were that up to 600 residents may have needed assistance. Within three hours of the area losing electricity, the shelter was powered and operational.

“I’m very pleased with my disaster volunteers. The response evolved very quickly,” Ms. Hecker said. “I had my resources at hand and we were fully capable of housing [600 people] if needed.”

Those still in need of assistance past noon can visit the Potsdam American Red Cross office at 73 Market St. or call at 268-0102.

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