Tuesday, 5:16 p.m.: Gov. Gina Raimondo has lifted the travel ban, effective 8 p.m.. However, the RI State Police recommend staying off the the roads, unless you absolutely have to go out.
Tuesday, 1:20 p.m.: National Grid is reporting no outages in Kent County, according to its Outage Central website.
Tuesday: 12:54 p.m.: Warwick Public Schools are closed tomorrow, according to an alert from the Rhode Island Broadcaster’s Association (RIBA).
Tuesday, 6 a.m.: Good morning, and welcome to the first major snow storm of 2015.
Gov. Gina Raimondo’s  travel ban began at midnight, and remains in effect until further notice. You’ll find most services and businesses closed for the duration of the storm, at any rate.
The National Weather Service’s blizzard warning remains in effect until 1 a.m. Wednesday. Temperatures will reach into the high teens, and the NWS predicts anywhere from 9 to 13 inches of snow to fall today. Winds are expected reach speeds of 26 to 31 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph.
If you’re interested in the big picture, NASA has created a video of the storm’s development over the past days:
Warwick Post will be keeping an eye on developments, announcements and warnings throughout the storm. You can follow Warwick Post for quick updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Check the timeline below for recent storm developments and important emergency phone numbers and resources.
Tuesday, 1:10 a.m.: The Warwick Sewer Authority reminds those with grinder pumps that, if power is lost, the pumps will have limited capacity and they should therefore limit water usage. Without power, the grinder pumps will be unable to discharge into the main sewer line.
WSA suggests that grinder pump owners prepare for a power outage by running an inside faucet for about 10 minutes or until the pump starts up. This will evacuate any wastewater stored in the pump and maximize storage capacity.
For sewer emergencies, contact the on-duty operator at (401) 524-9327.
Monday, 5:24 p.m. RI State Police report Governor Gina Raimondo has declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island. It is recommended that you get to your destination as soon as possible this evening and remain there until further notice. Have emergency supplies on hand in case of power outages.
Monday, 5:17 p.m. RIEMA reports in their Twitter feed that all flights out of TF Green Airport have been cancelled.
Monday, 1:27 p.m.: RIDOT has announced on their Twitter feed that a travel ban will be in effect at midnight.
Monday, 1 p.m.: Mayor Scott Avedisian’s office has released a list of announcements concerning the storm:
- Property owners are reminded that they are responsible for shoveling sidewalks.
-  Trash and recycling collection is postponed one day.
- The Pilgrim Senior Center is open until 4:30 p.m. today but will be closed tomorrow and there is no Transwick service tomorrow.
- Buttonwoods Community Center will be closed tomorrow.
- McDermott Pool, the therapeutic pool and the Thayer and Warburton ice rinks will be closed tomorrow.
- The Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane is open today and will be closed tomorrow. For more information, please call 739-5440.
- Tomorrow’s Board of Public Safety meeting is canceled. The meeting is postponed until the next scheduled meeting which takes place on Feb. 10.
- The city’s EOC is open. For non-emergency storm-related questions or concerns, call 468-4900.
Monday, 12:45 p.m.:Â T.F. Green Airport has begun posting delays and cancellations for outbound flights for this afternoon into tonight, with most arrivals scheduled after 3 p.m. being cancelled.
Monday, 12:25 p.m.: Warwick Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 27. No afternoon activities Jan. 26.
Monday, 9:45 a.m.: Kent YMCA School’s Out: No PM Daycare.
Monday, 8:30 a.m.: A storm the National Weather Service is referring to as a “crippling and potentially historic” blizzard starts up in the Warwick area Monday afternoon, after 1 p.m., increasing overnight and building to full strength Tuesday.
Warwick Post will be keeping an eye on developments, announcements and warnings throughout the storm. You can follow Warwick Post for quick updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Check back for more information. Below, we’ve listed important resources and telephone numbers you might need during and after the storm:
Parking ban The city of Warwick issued a parking ban, effective Monday afternoon, Jan. 26, until further notice.
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 new system will distribute emergency messages via telephone to targeted areas or the entire City of Warwick. Register here.
TF Green Airport – As of 8:40 a.m., two 10 a.m. outbound flights to Newark have been cancelled. Click here to follow arrivals and departures at Green.
Emergency Calls:
- In an emergency, dial 911
- Police Department: 401-468-4200
- Fire Department:Â (401) 468-4000
- Highway Dept./Snow removal –Â 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.
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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