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Signs Of Progress: Springfield Tornado Shelter Closes

SPRINGFIELD (CBS/AP) -- The American Red Cross is closing a shelter for tornado victims at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

The shelter has been operating since the tornadoes that caused extensive damage to portions of western and central Massachusetts on June 1.

Donate: The CBS Boston Cares Massachusetts Tornado Relief Fund

The Red Cross says more than 300 people were staying at the shelter on June 7, but the numbers have since declined. The shelter will close on Wednesday.

WBZ-TV's Diana Perez reports.

Many people are staying in trailers while their homes are repaired, or in some cases, rebuilt entirely.

Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to close disaster recovery centers in Wilbraham and Westfield on Friday. Other centers in Springfield, West Springfield and Brimfield will remain open for now.

Also Tuesday, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno plans to unveil further details of a rebuilding plan in tornado-damaged portions of the city.

Mass.Gov: Tornado Recovery

The effort will be led by a public-private partnership of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority and DevelopSpringfield, a nonprofit corporation.

$2 million has already been handed out to cities and towns hit by the twisters.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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