Power remains out for many Thursday afternoon following storm

AN OVERNIGHT STORM and continuing winds have caused power outages across the state. Above, a map of continuing wind warnings in the region. / COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
AN OVERNIGHT STORM and continuing winds have caused power outages across the state. Above, a map of continuing wind warnings in the region. / COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

PROVIDENCE – Following an overnight storm that knocked out power Wednesday evening, more than 35,000 customers in Rhode Island remained without power as of 2 p.m. Thursday, according to National Grid Rhode Island.

The National Weather Service reported many downed trees and branches in the state, impacting utility poles.

National Grid said the persistence of high winds has slowed restoration of power to customers in the region. The company also noted the storm and winds it brought were more severe than predicted, with gusts in some areas reaching as high as 80 miles per hour.

“We know losing power can be frustrating for our customers, and we understand and empathize with this,” said Michael McCallan, vice president of New England electric operations at National Grid, in a statement. “We have crews on the ground throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, making repairs and working to restore power in challenging conditions as quickly and as safely as possible. We will not stop until every customer has their electricity back.”

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The company said it had 1,000 field personnel in Massachusetts and 280 in Rhode Island responding to emergency 911 calls, assessing damage, clearing trees and making repairs to electrical infrastructure.

The company said it had restored power to 145,000 customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island since the storm began Wednesday evening.

The company reminded that it isn’t safe to have workers in elevated buckets when wind gusts exceed 35 miles per hour. The National Weather Service wind advisory for the area, which is projected to remain in effect until 6 p.m., says there is the possibility for wind gusts between 45 and 55 miles per hour until the warning expires.

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority warned Thursday morning to expect severe delays on train lines due to the storm impact, including on the Providence/Stoughton line. Since then, schedules have returned to normal.

Block Island Ferry service has been canceled for Thursday.

A full list of closings and delays in the area may be viewed here.

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