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Thousands Lose Power: Wind Warning, Flood Watch In Effect

[CREDIT: RI Energy] RI Energy reports thousands through RI without power as a strong storm prompts a high wind warning and flood watch for the state.

[CREDIT: RI Energy] RI Energy reports thousands through RI without power as a strong storm prompts a high wind warning and flood watch for the state.
[CREDIT: RI Energy] RI Energy reports thousands through RI without power as a strong storm prompts a high wind warning and flood watch for the state.
[CREDIT: Mayor Picozzi] A large tree down on Narragansett Parkway. "A perfectly healthy tree that fell victim to a combination of high wind and saturated ground," Mayor Frank Picozzi wrote about the fallen tree.
[CREDIT: Mayor Picozzi] A large tree down on Narragansett Parkway. “A perfectly healthy tree that fell victim to a combination of high wind and saturated ground,” Mayor Frank Picozzi wrote about the fallen tree.
UPDATE: 4 P.M.: About 26,000 people in the state are without power, including 511 in Warwick, as city crews work to address fallen trees and flooded areas, an aftermath Mayor Frank Picozzi reported will take days to clean up.

The National Weather Service has lifted the high wind warning, but extended the flood warning until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Conimicut Point Park is closed, with most streets leading to it flooded, Picozzi reported. Arnold’s Neck Road is also closed.
“Very seldom have I seen the tide this high,” he wrote, commenting on photos of the area.
“Kudos to the DPW workers that are out and breaking their backs working on everything that is damaged and flooded and they’ll be working late into the night and all week,” Picozzi wrote.
Picozzi also reported trees down around the city.
“The DPW is focusing on moving them out of the roads and solving emergency situations. They’ll return to cut them up in the coming days. The water is coming over the seawall at Oakland Beach so the gates are being closed,” he wrote.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: WARWICK, RI — A high wind warning and flood watch remain in effect through 7 p.m. tonight as officials and RI Energy work to mitigate storm damage and restore power to thousands of Rhode Islanders, including 472 customers in Warwick and 1,600 in Coventry as of 10:30 a.m.

“Today’s winter storm and damaging winds are bringing down limbs and trees across Rhode Island resulting in power outages. Our crews are working around the clock to safely restore power as quickly as possible,” RI Energy noted on its power outage map this morning.  The utility reminds readers to stay away from downed wires.

[CREDIT: Mayor Picozzi] Mayor Frank Picozzi reported flooding on streets and downed trees across the city.
[CREDIT: Mayor Picozzi] Mayor Frank Picozzi reported flooding on streets and downed trees across the city.
Downed trees and power lines are expected to be a continuing concern through the evening, the National Weather Service reports. South winds of up to 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected in Washington, Southern Bristol, Southern Plymouth, Southeast Providence, Eastern Kent, Bristol, and Newport Counties.

Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. The NWS advises people to avoid forested areas and to stay clear of trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows.

 

FLOODING RAIN

Prepare for rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts within southern New England. Potential impacts include:

  • Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues, especially in urban areas. – Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places.
  • Small streams may become dangerous rivers.
  • Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged.
  • Driving conditions become dangerous.
  • Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.

DAMAGING WIND

Prepare for dangerous wind with significant impacts near the South Coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Potential impacts in this area include:

  • Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds.
  • Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted.
  • Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places.
  • A few bridges and access routes impassable.
  • Power and communications outages possible, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.

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.

TF Green Airport – Click here to follow arrivals and departures at TF Green.

Emergency Calls:

  • In an emergency, dial 911
  • Police Department: 401-468-4200
  • Fire Department: (401) 468-4000
  • Highway Dept.:  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.

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

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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