Warwick Schools Open, National Grid: Most City Power Returning by Noon

UPDATE 6 a.m.: Warwick Public Schools announced via phone and text alerts at 6 a.m. that Toll Gate,  Winman Jr. High School, Drum Rock Early Childhood Center and the Career & Technical Center are closed.

The Toll Gate Road complex was among school buildings National Grid reported were still without power late Tuesday night. The report was confirmed by anecdotal reports on social media, where residents observed power still had not been restored to the buildings.

A group of students using the Twitter account Toll Gate TV posted video reports of the apparent darkened buildings at 11 p.m. Tuesday night

ORIGINAL POST 1 a.m.: WARWICK, RI — Warwick Schools open Wednesday as state-wide power outages continue following a powerful Sunday storm that cut electrical service to thousands of Rhode Islanders and Warwick residents.

Mayor Scott Avedisian reported at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday that schools will open Wednesday morning.

By 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, about 7,000 people remained without electricity, according to National Grid. About 55,900 customers state wide were without electricity.

The utility reported it estimates about 90 percent of customers will have their power restored by mid-day Wednesday.

“The majority of remaining customers in Warwick will be back in service tomorrow. We are working through this evening to provide more detailed estimates by town both in the “outage area” and “map” views,” said Kathie Cornelius, spokesperson for National Grid.

“In the remaining areas that require special equipment, or where there are single, scattered outages, we anticipate power to be restored by Thursday evening, ” National Grid reported in a news release.

Cornelius said there are 260 utility crews in Rhode Island working around the clock to restore power.

Mayor Scott Avedisian advised residents in Gaspee, Pawtuxet, Warwick Neck, Buttonwoods, Lakewood, and the area adjacent to Kent Hospital without power to use caution and vigilance and only trick-or-treat in those areas that have power, or visit relatives or friends in an area with power to trick-or-treat instead.

Even so, some residents near Church Avenue reported some Trick-Or-Treaters out and visiting homes.

The Pilgrim Senior Center, 27 Pilgrim Parkway, opened to serve as a shelter Tuesday afternoon. Mayor Scott Avedisian’s office advised anyone who wanted to take advantage of the area to bring their own food, and phone chargers to charge their devices.

A Code Red call was used to alert residents serviced by grinder pumps that an emergency start up/pump out of the pumps would take place at 4 p.m. Tuesday, paid for by The Warwick Sewer Authority.

Because crews will need access to the pumps, someone must be home for this service to take place. Residents who were not home at that time can call either the Warwick Sewer Authority at 468-4710 or the Warwick Police Department at 468-4200 (after normal business hours) to schedule another time. Grinder pump customers are encouraged to conserve water until National Grid restores electric power.  Emergency evacuation of their pumps will empty the holding tank, allowing additional storage for your essential waste.

• Warwick Public Library on Sandy Lane is open for regularly scheduled hours and residents are welcome to use that facility to charge their cell phones. The library is open until 9 p.m.this evening.
• Thayer and Warburton ice rinks and McDermott Pool are still without power and will be closed tomorrow.
• Trash and recycling will be collected on normal schedule tomorrow.
• Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.
• 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.
• Gas safetyIf 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 number for Rhode Island: 1-800-460-1595
  • Stay Out – Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.

  Carbon Monoxide

  • The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu.  Depending upon the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and length of exposure, symptoms may include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, fluttering of the heart or loss of muscle control.
  • If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeply; then call 911. If symptoms are severe, get medical attention right away.

  Stay Connected:

  • Report power outages at www.nationalgridus.com or call 1-800-465-1212.
  • Use your mobile device to track outage information, view outage maps and storm-related safety tips through National Grid’s mobile site accessible at www.ngrid.com/mobile.
  • Like National Grid on Facebook and follow them on Twitter; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.
  • Track outages and ETRs at www.nationalgridus.com/outage-central.