Powerfully Windy Snow Storm Expected Thursday

Update: Jan. 4, 10:47 p.m.:  

As the storm wound down, Mayor Scott Avedisian’s office announced the following storm-related announcements:

All Warwick Public Schools will be closed on Friday, Jan 5, 2018:

• The Warburton and Thayer Ice Arenas and McDermott Pool will reopen at 9am tomorrow morning.
• Pilgrim Senior Center will reopen for their normal business hours tomorrow, but all activities and meal services are cancelled.
• Transwick bus services have been cancelled for Friday.
• The Warwick Public Library will reopen for their normal business hours.
• Trash and recycling collections will resume its normal schedule. However, residents are advised that there is still a one-day collection delay due to the New Year holiday.
• The citywide parking ban remains in effect. Cars left on the street will be towed at the owner’s expense.
• If you experience a power outage, please call the National Grid (800-322-3223), the fire department (468-4000) or the police department (468-4200) to report the outage.
• All municipal offices will be open on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018

The Warwick Sewer Authority continues to remind its customers with grinder pumps that, if power is lost, the pumps will have limited capacity and those customers should therefore limit water usage; without power, the grinder pumps will be unable to discharge into the main sewer line. The WSA suggests that grinder pump owners prepare for a power outage by running an inside faucet for about 10 minutes or until the pump starts up.

This will evacuate any wastewater stored in the pump and maximize storage capacity. Continued reduced water usage will allow for use of the plumbing facilities for a longer period of time, hopefully until power can be restored.  If there is an extended power outage, WSA will issue additional information and guidance.

Update: Jan. 4, 2:31 p.m.

Warwick Public Schools have been canceled for Friday, as are PA classes for Johnson and Wales University.

Gov. Gina Raimondo has banned tractor-trailer traffic through the state until 9 p.m., according to RI State Police.

Kent YMCA School’s Out-Warwick: Closed Friday

Update: Jan. 3, 6:45 p.m.

In advance of Thursday’s expected strongly windy blizzard with gusts of up to 60 mph, Mayor Scott Avedisian, along with School Superintendent Phil Thornton, Fire Chief James McLaughlin and Colonel Stephen McCartney announced a number of storm-related advisories:

• All Warwick Public Schools classes and activities for Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 have been cancelled.
• A parking ban will be in effect throughout the City beginning at midnight Wednesday. It will remain in effect until further notice. Cars left on the street will be towed at the owner’s expense.
• The Warburton and Thayer Ice Arenas and McDermott Pool will be closed on Thursday.
• All meals and activities scheduled at Pilgrim Senior Center for Thursday have been cancelled. Transwick bus services have also been cancelled.
• The Sanitation Department will remain on schedule for trash pickup on Thursday. However, they will only be collecting garbage. Residents are asked to put out only their trash bins. No recycling will be collected.
• Warwick Public Library will remain open to the public.
•  If you experience a power outage, please call the National Grid (800-322-3223), the fire department (468-4000) or the police department (468-4200) to report the outage. (Scroll down this article for more emergency contact information).

Finally, in anticipation of the potential for power outages during the upcoming storm, the Warwick Sewer Authority is reminding its customers with grinder pumps that, if power is lost, the pumps will have limited capacity and those customers should therefore limit water usage; without power, the grinder pumps will be unable to discharge into the main sewer line.

The WSA suggests that grinder pump owners prepare for a power outage by running an inside faucet for about 10 minutes or until the pump starts up. This will evacuate any wastewater stored in the pump and maximize storage capacity. Continued reduced water usage will allow for use of the plumbing facilities for a longer period of time, hopefully until power can be restored.  If there is an extended power outage, WSA will issue additional information and guidance.

Update: Jan. 3, 3:40 p.m.

Kent County YMCA and several other local preschools and day care centers announced they will be closed on Jan. 4. See the latest cancellations on the RI Broadcasters closings page.

Update: Jan. 3, 2:05 p.m.

Bishop Hendricken High School, St. Peter School, and St. Rose of Lima School all announced they will be closed on Thursday.

Update: Jan. 3, 12:40 p.m.

Warwick Public Schools announced that all schools and the administration office will be closed on Jan. 4.

As of 12:40 p.m., arrivals at T.F. Green Airport were on time, while several departures had been delayed or cancelled. Follow T.F. Green arrivals and departures here.

Update: Jan. 3, 11:40 a.m.

West Bay Community Action announced that it will close on Jan. 4, including its child care center.

Warwick Municipal Court will also be closed on Jan. 4.

Follow closings and delays on the RI Broadcasters website.

Update: Jan. 3, 10:35 a.m.

WARWICK, RI — Warwick Public Works announced a parking ban to begin at midnight Wednesday and continuing until further notice.

Original post: Jan. 3, 6:05 a.m.

WARWICK, RI — A powerfully windy snow storm with gusts as 60 mph is forecast Thursday afternoon and night has cast the state under a high wind watch and a winter storm watch, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast.

The high wind watch is in effect from Thursday morning till Thursday night. The winter storm watch remains in effect from late Wednesday night through late Thursday night. Portions of eastern, northeastern and southeastern Massachusetts and northern and southern Rhode Island are expected to receive about 8-12 inches of snowfall during the storm, according to the forecast.

Snow is expected after 5 a.m. Thursday, with increasing clouds, and a low of about 23 degrees. Snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible. The day is expected to be blustery, with a north wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph, with snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches is possible.

The National Weather service warns drivers to plan on difficult travel conditions, and that damage to trees and power lines is possible during the storm.

There’s a slight chance of snow showers between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., with a low around 10 degrees. Winds will continue from the west at 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 47 mph.

What to do in case of emergencies:

This expected storm raises the possibility of electrical outages — and a reminder of how to handle them.

First, do NOT call 911 to report a power outage.

Instead, contact National Grid at 1-800-465-1212. Smartphone users can also text STORM to NGRID (64743) for outage alerts. To check the status of outages in your area, visit  National Grid Outage Central for Rhode Island.

Also be sure to check batteries for radios, and charge up your cell phone in case of power loss.

By now, we’re all used to the incoming winter storm drill — here it is once again:

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. Check closings and delays here.

CodeRED – The City of Warwick has instituted a new rapid emergency notification service called CodeRED®.  The new system will distribute emergency messages via telephone to targeted areas or the entire City of Warwick. Register here.

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
• Serve RI is looking for volunteers to help neighbors in need shovel out after upcoming snowfall. You can sign up here.  You can ask for their help at at 401-331-2298. For all other needs, people should call United Way-2-1-1.

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