WARWICK, RI — There’s a winter storm watch in effect starting Friday night, lasting till Saturday night, promising 8 to 16 inches of snow and strong winds.
Winds could gust as high as 60 mph, especially on Cape Cod, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued the watch for Rhode Island and portions of eastern, northeastern and southeastern Massachusetts. Combined with the expected snowfall, travel could be very difficult to impossible. Strong winds may cause tree damage, the NWS warns.
Snow clearing reminders
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 Storm Center Info, Tips
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.
CodeRED – The City of Warwick has instituted a new rapid emergency notification service called CodeRED®. The system will distribute emergency messages via telephone to targeted areas or the entire City of Warwick. Register here.
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. 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.
- 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.
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.
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