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Storm Damage Nixes Trees, Classes, Bald Hill Road Access

[CREDIT: Warwick Police] Storm damage has closed some local roads. Bald Hill Rd from East Ave to the Pawtuxet River Bridge is closed to thru traffic. The West Warwick side of the bridge is closed to thru traffic at Providence Street & River.

[CREDIT: Warwick Police] Bald Hill Rd from East Ave to the Pawtuxet River Bridge is closed to thru traffic. The West Warwick side of the bridge is closed to thru traffic at Providence Street & River.
[CREDIT: Warwick Police] Bald Hill Rd from East Ave to the Pawtuxet River Bridge is closed to thru traffic. The West Warwick side of the bridge is closed to thru traffic at Providence Street & River.
[CREDIT: Warwick Police] Storm damage has closed Knight Street to thru traffic in the area of 60 Knight St. Local businesses are open. Access to the 11 Knight Street Business Park has to be accessed via Pontiac Avenue, Cranston.
[CREDIT: Warwick Police] Storm damage has closed Knight Street to thru traffic in the area of 60 Knight St. Local businesses are open. Access to the 11 Knight Street Business Park has to be accessed via Pontiac Avenue, Cranston.
 

UPDATE: Knight Street has also been closed to thru traffic in the area of 60 Knight Street. Local businesses are open. Access to the 11 Knight Street Business Park has to be accessed via Pontiac Avenue, Cranston.

WARWICK, RI — Storm damage from Monday’s intense rain and wind knocked down trees, cut classes early and has closed Bald Hill Road to all but local traffic from East Avenue to the Pawtuxet River Bridge.

“Warwick Police announced the road closure this morning.  “Bald Hill Road from East Ave to the Pawtuxet River Bridge is closed to thru traffic. Local traffic ONLY! West Warwick side of the bridge is closed to thru traffic at Providence St & River,” police announced on their Facebook Page, illustrating the information with a map of the closed area.

Bald Hill Road was not the only street affected due to the storm.
“The Pawtuxet river is causing some area flooding. East Avenue from Bald Hill Road to West Warwick is closed,” Mayor Frank Picozzzi noted on his own Facebook post.
The following additional roads are also closed:
  • Bellows Street
  • Venturi Avenue
  • Industrial Avenue
  • Pioneer Avenue
  • 1st Street

At about 8 a.m., Picozzi provided an update on flooding in the city, with a few photos near Pontiac Village.

“We do have some flooding from the Pawtuxet River. It’s mostly confined to commercial/industrial areas. These photos are from Greenwich Village Apartments (only the parking lot is affected) and the Apponaug Brewery.

Down river, Belmont Park is flooded. Shaws parking lot is very flooded along with surrounding roads. Reports are that the river’s water level has just about peaked and will begin to slowly recede.

DPW crews are still out in full force cleaning up. If you have storm debris, put it by the side of the road and we’ll get to it as soon as we can,” Picozzi wrote.
[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Flooding from the Dec. 18 2023 storm at the front lot of Apponaug Brewing Company in Pontiac Village, next to Pontiac Mills Apartments on Knight Street.
[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Flooding from the Dec. 18 2023 storm at the front lot of Apponaug Brewing Company in Pontiac Village, next to Pontiac Mills Apartments on Knight Street.
[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Flooding from the Dec. 18 2023 storm at the front lot of Apponaug Brewing Company in Pontiac Village, next to Pontiac Mills Apartments on Knight Street. Pictured here, the lot access between the brewery and the apartments. To the left, around the corner, is the brewery's outdoor dining area
[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Flooding from the Dec. 18 2023 storm at the front lot of Apponaug Brewing Company in Pontiac Village, next to Pontiac Mills Apartments on Knight Street. Pictured here, the lot access between the brewery and the apartments. To the left, around the corner, is the brewery’s outdoor dining area.
[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Flooding from the Dec. 18 2023 storm in the lot of Greenwich Village Apartments.
[CREDIT: Mayor Frank Picozzi] Flooding from the Dec. 18 2023 storm in the lot of Greenwich Village Apartments.

The aging Toll Gate High School closed early Monday morning after the building’s roof was badly damaged due to heavy winds. School officials updated the public via Facebook as well:

“Dear Toll Gate Community: As you are aware, we had to dismiss students early today (Monday, 12/18/23).  We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the situation. Due to the  extreme weather conditions, the rubber roof membrane was separated from the roof deck of the building.  The repairs will begin tomorrow, as the weather conditions will not allow workers to begin the work today.  Due to the nature of the repairs, it is expected to be extremely noisy and will interrupt learning.

As a result, there will be Distance Learning for the next two days.  Tuesday, 12/19/23, will be a G day and Wednesday, 12/20/23, will be an A day.  Please see specific schedules below.  We would ask students to please check their Google Classrooms. Teachers will be taking attendance each period.  Thank you for your understanding as we continue to monitor this issue closely. We will be sure to update you on the progress, as well as any potential impact to the end of the week.

“The weather today was really harsh but, overall, I think our facilities held up  pretty well,” said School Committee chairman David Testa. 

Superintendent Lynn Dambruch could not be reached for comment.

RI Energy noted on its power outage map this morning that about 8,000 Rhode Island homes remain without power, down from about 26,000 Monday.  The number of homes in Warwick without power had dropped to about 200, down from about 500 Monday. The utility reminds readers to stay away from downed wires.

Reporter Joe Siegel contributed to this story.

Rob Borkowski
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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