Warwick Clears Tree Debris After July 3 Storm Fizzles Fireworks
[CREDIT: RI Energy] A July 3 storm knocked out power for many in RI and Warwick. By Monday, only a few areas in the city were still without power.WARWICK, RI — Mayor Frank Picozzi asked for people’s patience as the DPW adds storm debris pickup to its routine the next few weeks following a Thursday July 3 storm that fizzled Fourth fireworks, off-lined the skating arena and pool, and littered the city with downed limbs.
Picozzi took to Facebook this morning to ask homeowners to put storm debris it on the edge of yards, taking care to ensure it isn’t in the street or blocking a sidewalk or fire hydrant.
“We’ll get it done as fast as we can but it’s probably going to take a couple of weeks. We’re going to have to commit a lot of equipment and manpower to this so it’s very likely that we won’t be able to get to a lot of the ordinary work and maintenance for a while. I ask for your patience,” Picozzi wrote.
July 3 storm: Fireworks, Electricity Delays
Channel 10’s Nick Russo posted time-lapse footage of the storm overtaking Oakland Beach, noting some took too long to seek shelter, which should have happened the moment thunder was heard. The storm postponed the full fireworks show till Saturday, though the company set off prepared fireworks after the show was cancelled, since that was the only way to safely remove them.
About 500 homes and businesses were still without power Saturday, RI Energy told Picozzi, who noted the following morning Friday, daylight revealed many downed trees and branches, with locals posting footage of the damage.
Monday morning, Rhode Island Energy‘s power outage map reported there were still outages in Pilgrim Park, near the Toll Gate Road and Bald Hill Road intersection and on East Street, with power expected to be restored between 11 a.m. and noon Monday. Picozzi also reported the McDermott Pool had been returned to service by crews working long hours, and praised city worker’s continuing hard work.
“I want to give a huge shoutout to our DPW workers for their Herculean efforts over the weekend to clean up after Thursday’s storm. They didn’t get to go to cookouts, parties, or the beach. They busted their butts at work. Highway Chief Rich Cole is a rockstar. I don’t think he has slept in four days. He was all over the city directing operations. Police and fire along with their dispatchers and support people did everything they could to help residents. I’m very proud of the city’s efforts to respond to the storm,” Picozzi said.
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 editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
![[CREDIT: RI Energy] A July 3 storm knocked out power for many in RI and Warwick. By Monday, only a few areas in the city were still without power.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/July-3-storm-2025.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
