Northern RI – Thousands of homes across Rhode Island were without power Monday morning with no estimated restoration time, and even plows were getting stuck as towns struggled to maintain roadways.
A major winter storm was expected to continue to pummel the region throughout the day, with intensity set to gradually decrease through late Monday afternoon.
As of 9:30 a.m., Rhode Island Energy was reporting 374 outages in Burrillville. In Glocester, a major outage knocked out most of Putnam Pike, with 764 customers affected.
North Smithfield Town Administrator Scott Gibbs said his office has been monitoring power outages in that town and between 150 and 200 customers had no power as of 9:30 a.m. Gibbs said no residents had requested access to the town’s warming center at Scouter’s Hall.
One house in North Smithfield was damaged by a falling tree with the occupants relocated to a relative’s home, according to Gibbs.
Burrillville Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Gingell said that town’s Department of Public Works was out working throughout the night kept roads in reasonable condition.
“As of 9 this morning, as the storm intensified, it’s more of a challenge to keep the roads open,” Gingell said.
Clear River Electric & Water was reporting just one active outage at 10 a.m.
“They’re in good shape,” Gingell said.
RI Energy, however, was having a bit more trouble after a transformer blew on Route 7 leaving 264 customers in the dark. The company has said that most crews won’t make it out until the storm subsides and the situation could take days to resolve.
On the positive, cold temperatures made the snow fluffier than initially expected in much of northern Rhode Island – and easier to shovel, minus the frigid winds.
The storm is finally expected to wrap up this evening, with winds slowly winding down. Lingering snow showers are expected to end between 6 and 8 p..m.
Power outages can be reported to Rhode Island Energy online, by texting OUTAGE to 743674 or by calling 855-743-1101.
For outages in the Clear River Electric and Water District (formerly Pascoag Utility District), call 401-568-6222
Anyone with picture they’d like to share from the storm is invited to send their photos to [email protected].
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