A line of Warwick Highway Department plows in the yard on Sandy Lane ahead of a 2015 heavy snow storm.

WARWICK, RI — Heavy snow is storming its way toward Rhode Island starting Sunday – ranging 8 to 24 inches, with the snow heavier further north, according to a WPRI 12 forecast and the National Weather Service, with officials advising people to stay off the roads, stock up food and prepare for power outages.

Winter Storm Warning: Heavy Snow Sunday-Monday

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for much of Southern New England starting at 7 a.m. Sunday till 8 p.m. Monday, with between 12 and 17 inches expected for Warwick and the surrounding areas. The heavy snow storm is also expected to coincide with winds gusting up to 30 mph.

Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will become slick and hazardous. Travel will range from very difficult to impossible, especially if traveling overnight into the Monday morning commute. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. However, the Weather Service advises that people should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

In Warwick, Mayor Frank Picozzi asked for help on his Facebook Page keeping the city’s snow clearing drivers well-supplies.

“The upcoming snowstorm looks to be the worst we’ve had in a long time. Our city workers will be called into work Sunday morning and most likely won’t be home again until probably Monday evening. They bring food and drinks with them but they can’t possibly bring enough to last. They’ll be plowing throughout the night and there is nowhere to stop to buy a water or a donut.

Residents always ask me what they can do to help. I’ve had a table put out in front of the DPW office at 925 Sandy Lane. If you’re willing I ask that you drop off some water, Gatorade or some type of drink. Snacks like donuts, chips, cookies, etc. This will benefit not only the drivers but the mechanics, yard workers, police officers that may stop by, and others.

We did this during the blizzard a few years ago and it was a huge success. It made a lot of residents happy to participate and help out and it was a great morale booster for our hard working crews. You can drop off at 925 Sandy Lane today through noon tomorrow,” Picozzi wrote.

Cold Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service has also issued a cold weather advisory, with wind chills as low as -15 degrees for much of southern New England starting 10 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday morning. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures, the NWS warns. Rhode Island’s Emergency Management Agency has posted locations and hours for warming centers in cities and towns across the state.

The City of Warwick’s warming center locations and hours are:

Pilgrim Senior Center: 27 Pilgrim Pkwy.

Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Phone: 401-468-4072

Warwick Public Library: 600 Sandy Ln.

Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
Fri – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sun: 1 PM – 5 PM
Phone: 401-921-9743

The Town of Coventry’s warming center locations and hours are:

Coventry Police Department: 60 Wood St.

Available as needed. For assistance contact Coventry PD at (401) 826-1100.

Coventry Public Library: 1672 Flat River Rd.

Mon – Wed: 9 AM – 8 PM
Thu – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sun: 12 PM – 4 PM
Phone: 401-822-9100

Coventry Department of Human Resource and Senior Center: 50 Wood St.

Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Phone: 401-822-9175

Crossroads Rhode Island, the state’s leading provider of housing and services for people experiencing homelessness, also operates the Crossroads Warming Shelter, at 160 Broad Street, Providence, RI, is open 24/7. The non profit organization, founded in 1894 as The Travelers Aid Committee of the YWCA to assist vulnerable women, has been serving those in need for over 125 years. Crossroads shared the following information ahead of the storm:

If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay, it’s important that they get inside early. Temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits and below, and even brief skin exposure can be dangerous. Do not wait until you are already shivering to seek shelter. This is life-threatening weather, and getting indoors as soon as possible will save lives. Click here for a full list of warming shelters across Rhode Island.

What is Crossroads doing to help people stay warm?
Crossroads’ Warming Center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with staff available to help people access shelter beds when they are available. Our outreach team is also out daily, sharing information about the extreme cold and preparing people for the possibility of snow and storms following this weekend.

What is the difference between a shelter bed and a warming center?
Emergency shelters provide people with a warm bed, hot showers, and meals while staff work with them toward permanent housing. A warming center, by comparison, is a last-resort place for people to come inside and get out of extreme cold. There are bathrooms and space to rest, but no beds. During severe weather, our priority is ensuring people are indoors and protected from dangerous conditions.

How many bags can someone bring to a warming center?
We ask people to limit belongings to two bags or fewer so we can make space for as many individuals as possible. We understand this can be difficult, as many people are carrying everything they own, so we approach this guideline with care and sensitivity.

What should someone expect when they arrive at the Warming Center?
Staff will be there to welcome them, provide food, and help them get oriented. People staying in our warming center will have access to bathrooms, showers, a place to rest, blankets, and support.

When does the Warming Center open and how long does it stay open?
Crossroads’ Warming Center opened on November 1 and will remain open 24/7 through April 30, with a maximum capacity of 80 people. When shelter beds are available elsewhere in the system, we work to make referrals early so that warming center space will be available if someone arrives later and urgently needs to get inside.

If you are concerned about someone being outside during extreme cold, calling 211 can help identify available shelter and warming options across Rhode Island. In life-threatening situations, call 911.

Snow cancellations

Several area businesses, schools and services had cancelled classes or activities for Monday. Here are those listed in Warwick as of 4 p.m. Friday, posted to the RI Broadcasters Association page:

West Bay Comm Action Child Care Center: Closed Monday
Eleanor Briggs School: Distance Learning Day Monday
Warwick: Addiction Recovery Institute – Warwick: Closed Monday; Bring Lockbox
Warwick: Bridgemark Inc: Closed Monday
WarwickChild Builders ABA: Closed Monday; Cancel All Shifts
St. Elizabeth Adult Day – All Locations: Closed Monday
West Bay Community Action: Closed Monday

Snow clearing reminders

[CREDIT: WFD] Don’t forget to clear nearby fire hydrants to prepare for a fire.

All that snow has to go somewhere, and it shouldn’t stay on your sidewalks or pile up around hydrants:

Sidewalk ordinance City law Sec. 70-102, Removal of Snow Required states, “The owner, owner-designated occupant or any person having the care of any building or lot of land bordering on any street shall cause the snow to be removed from the sidewalk.”“Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $100 for the first offense and second offense.”
Hydrant reminder While sidewalks are covered by city ordinance, local fire departments regularly ask the public’s help in keeping fire hydrants clear of ice and snow.

Warwick Post Heavy Snow Storm Center Info, Tips

[CREDIT: NWS] The National Weather Service's tips for extreme cold in the car and in the home. Temperatures are expected to hover between the single digits and high teens this week. — [CREDIT: NWS] The National Weather Service’s tips for extreme cold in the car and in the home. Temperatures are expected to hover between the single digits and high teens this week.

Emergency Alerts:

RIBA – Make sure you’re signed up for text alerts from the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association. You’ll get emergency notifications (including school closings and delays) direct to your phone or email.

TF Green Airport – Click here to follow arrivals and departures at Green.

Emergency Calls:

In an emergency, dial 911
Police Department: 401-468-4200
Fire Department: (401) 468-4000
Highway Dept./Snow removal – 401-738-2000 ext. 6518
Do NOT call 911 to report a power outage. Call 855-743-1101 (available 24/7), text OUTAGE to 743674 (RIEMSG), or report the outage online.To check the status of outages in your area, visit RI Energy Outage Central for Rhode Island.

Listen to NOAA radio: Check the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio frequency here.

Safety Tips:

If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public.
Natural gas customers should closely inspect areas around and over gas meters, service hook-ups and vents for debris that could damage equipment or prevent CO from properly venting.
If you suspect a natural gas leak:
- Get Out – All occupants should leave the house immediately. Do not use the telephone or light switches for any reason.
- Call Us – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call the National Grid 24-hour gas emergency numbers at 1-800-640-1595
- Stay Out – Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.

Red Cross Extreme Cold Tips

The Red Cross has posted a number of personal and homeowner tips for dealing with extreme cold weather:

Avoid unnecessary exposure to the cold. Be aware of both the temperature and the wind chill when planning outdoor activities. When you prepare to go outside in severe cold weather, please remember the following:

Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
Dressing in layers helps you retain heat. You can remove layers as needed if you become too warm.
Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
Wear water proof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.
Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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