Warwick, RI – The National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Advisory warns of 1-4 inches of snow with a layer of ice on Saturday, and Warwick’s Highway Chief says the city’s plow fleet is ready for it.
Warwick’s plow fleet consists of 64 city plows and 18 sand trucks, said Bob Benoit, highway chief for the City of Warwick.
“The crew is in the yard getting it all ready to go,” Benoit said early Friday afternoon. In the event of a more serious storm, he said, the city can also call on 22 private trucks to aid in clearing roads.
The NWS advisory is in effect from 12 a.m. through 7 p.m. Saturday, with snow expected to begin early Saturday morning, turning to a wintry mix in the late morning through afternoon before changing back to snow during the early evening.
Visibility during the storm is expected to fall to 1/4 to 1/2 mile, with wind at 10 to 20 mph and gusts of 35 mph.
Though there have been a few storms that required sand and salt to be spread on city roads so far this year, the department’s budget is largely untouched going in advance of the Saturday storm.
“I’d have to say we’re not even a quarter of the way through,” the budget, Benoit said.
The city’s snow removal budget for FY 2014-2015 is $130,000, according to city records.
Winter Storm Driving Tips from the RIEMA:
• Keep your gas tank half full.
•Install snow tires or make sure regular tires have good tread left on them.
• Keep a windshield scraper and a small broom in your car to remove snow or ice.
• Clean snow and ice from the roof of your car. If you are driving behind someone who has not cleared their car roof of snow and ice, watch for flying snow.
• Watch for black ice. Black ice is most likely to form first under bridges and overpasses, in shady spots, and at intersections.
• Keep extra space between you and the cars in front of you so you can stop safely.
• If your car begins to spin, do not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want your car to go.
• If you break down or are stuck in snow, pull over to the side of the road, turn on hazard lights, and hang a distress flag from your antennae or window. (A piece of brightly colored fabric can be used for a distress flag.
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 [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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