WARWICK, RI — Tropical Storm Henri may not have been a hurricane after all, but it powerful gusts have still left thousands across RI without power, including 869 in Warwick as of Monday morning.
By 8:30 a.m., National Grid reported there were about 42,511 customers without power in Rhode Island, with an estimate for full restoration of service by Wednesday.
While Rhode Islanders wait for crews to restore power, the state remains under a flood watch from forecasted rain. The weather is also expected to produce temperatures in the high 80s during the next two days.
Mayor Picozzi’s storm updates
Red Cross Power Outage Reminders
The American Red Cross has offered the following reminders about weathering power outages following a tropical storm:
Monitor alerts. Check local weather reports and any notifications. by phone, television or radio. Utility officials may come to your door to alert you of a planned power outage. If available, sign up for local alerts and warning systems to notify you through a call or text to your phone.
Contact your support network. Let people in your network know that you are OK, check to see if they’re OK, and tell each other if you need help.
Keep food cold and when in doubt, throw it out. Eat your fresh, perishable foods first. Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer to preserve cool temperatures. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Measure the food temperature in your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Throw out food that has been warmer than 40 degrees F.
Prevent power overloads and fire hazards. Unplug appliances and electronics to avoid power overloads or damage from power surges. Use flashlights, not candles. Turn off the utilities only if you suspect damage or if local officials instruct you to do so. Your gas line can only be turned on by a qualified professional. If any circuit breakers have been tripped, contact an electrician to inspect them before turning them on.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t use a gas stove to heat your home and do not use outdoor stoves indoors for heating or cooking. If using a generator, keep it outside in a well ventilated area away from windows.
Decide if you need to stay or go. Evacuate if your home is too hot or too cold, or if you have medical devices that need power. Communities often provide warming or cooling centers and power charging stations.
Henri storm response contacts and resources
“As of this morning, there were no individuals who stayed overnight in our shelters, additionally, we worked with our partners to provide special accommodations for a few local residents. Red Cross volunteers worked tirelessly to prepare our shelters with water, food, toiletries and welcome all in need,” said Jocelyn Hillard, Regional Communications Director at the Red Cross.
“We are working closely with local officials and community partners to address the needs of the community today. As of now, shelters in Middletown and Wakefield are open,” Hilliard said.
Red Cross Shelters Open following Henri
Shelters set up by the Red Cross in Rhode Island are still open at the following additional locations:
- Middletown – Joseph H. Gaudet Middle School, 1113 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown
- Wakefield – South Kingstown High School, 215 Columbia Street, Wakefield
Individuals evacuating to a Red Cross shelter should bring essential items for each member of their family, including:
- Prescription and emergency medication
- Foods that meet special dietary requirements
- Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
- Chargers for any electronic devices
- Books, games and other forms of entertainment
To help keep our workforce and the people we serve safe, Red Cross requires face masks regardless of vaccination status. In addition, we’re also using health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing as much as possible.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need, and all disaster assistance is free.
Anyone who needs a safe place to go can find information for open Red Cross shelters on redcross.org, 1-877-287-3327, or the free Red Cross Emergency app. Download the app by searching “American Red Cross” in your app store or by going to redcross.org/apps. You can also check with local officials and monitor local news for information on where to find emergency shelter.
Author: Warwick Post Staff
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