R.I. bracing for blizzard

A BLIZZARD is predicted to hit Monday and last through Wednesday, dumping potentially as much as 30 feet of snow in the region, according to the National Weather Service. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/SCOTT EISEN
A BLIZZARD is predicted to hit Monday and last through Wednesday, dumping potentially as much as 30 feet of snow in the region, according to the National Weather Service. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/SCOTT EISEN

PROVIDENCE – Officials are warning Rhode Islanders to brace for a blizzard, expected to hit Monday night and last through Wednesday morning.
National Grid said the storm, named “Juno,” could be of “historic magnitude” and drop as much as 30 inches of snow on Rhode Island and parts of eastern and central Massachusetts. Wind gusts are expected to be 60 mph, and high tides could cause coastal flooding.
National Grid officials began preparing over the weekend, and already have mobilized in-house and contractor crews to help restore power as quickly and safely as possible as needed, the utility said in a news release.
“With sustained periods of heavy snow, gale-force winds and blizzard conditions, this storm has the potential to cause severe damage to the electric system. While we will be ready for whatever Juno brings, if the storm turns out to be as severe as the meteorologists are predicting, it could take several days to restore power to all of our customers,” Dan Bunszell, National Grid’s vice president of New England Operations, said in a statement. “We urge our customers to take this weather forecast very seriously and prepare accordingly so they can stay safe before, during and after the storm.”

In Providence, a citywide parking ban will go into effect Monday night at 7 p.m., remaining in effect until further notice. All vehicles parked on the street in violation of the citywide parking ban will be ticketed and towed to ensure that roadways can be plowed. Cars parked in school parking lots overnight also will be ticketed and towed.

An emergency operations center will open at noon Monday, and will be staffed around the clock throughout the storm. All after-school and evening activities for Providence Public Schools are canceled Monday. The Providence School Board meeting is also canceled. City Recreation Centers will be closed Monday as well.
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza said roadways will be pretreated ahead of expected snowfall on Monday, beginning with school bus routes.
A snow hotline is available to Providence residents beginning at noon at 680-8080. Residents experiencing power outages should contact National Grid at 800-322-3223.

Elorza said businesses should allow employees to work flexible hours to reduce travel during the storm’s escalation. Employees working evening shifts should be prepared for dangerous travel conditions beginning Monday evening. All non-essential employees are encouraged to prepare to work from home on Tuesday.

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The city’s tax collection deadline will be extended without penalty or interest until Jan. 29. The tax collector and tax assessor’s office will remain open until 7 p.m. on Jan. 29.

Said Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, “I urge all Rhode Islanders to also take the steps necessary now, ahead of the storm, to be prepared. This includes making sure to have sufficient food, water, and fuel for the next few days.”
Raimondo said residents should have the following supplies for at least three days:

  • Non-perishable food, bottled water
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • A portable radio in case of power outages
  • Freshly-stocked first-aid kit
  • Essential prescription medicines
  • Baby-care items
  • Extra blankets
  • A fire extinguisher
  • Sufficient heating fuel

Snow is expected to be very heavy and wet, and people should exercise caution when shoveling, taking frequent breaks to avoid overexertion. Generators also should be operated away from the home and in a well-ventilated area to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 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.

Cars should have emergency supply kits, including a shovel, jumper cables and bag of sand. Gas tanks should be kept full, and cars should have good winter tires with adequate tread.

The National Weather Service also recommends that all boats should be in port by noon on Monday.
Contact National Grid to report power outages at (800) 465-1212.
Serve Rhode Island also is seeking volunteers to help remove one to two feet of snow after the storm of blizzard conditions forecasted for Monday and Tuesday.
Volunteers will be needed after the storm through Thursday to help elderly and disabled residents with snow removal. Serve Rhode Island will coordinate requests from elderly and disabled residents and assign snow removal jobs as volunteers become available.
Volunteers can sign up online by going to Serve Rhode Island’s website or clicking HERE.
Residents who are elderly or disabled and who need snow removal assistance should call Serve Rhode Island at 331-2298 beginning Monday morning at 9 a.m. For other needs, people should call United Way-2-1-1.
Meanwhile, National Grid has requested an additional 700 contractor crews from throughout New England and the eastern United States, and requested services of 380 contractor tree crews. The utility said it also has made plans to staff six equipment and personnel staging areas throughout the area expected to be affected.
Information about power outages can be found on National Grid’s website at nationalgridus.com/OutageCentral. National Grid also provides storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter.

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