Residents Advised To Take Precautions Against Weekend Storm

Forecast of snow and rain with potential flooding, tree and power line damage.

Mayor Angel Taveras and Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Peter T. Gaynor today advised residents to take precautions in preparation for the arrival of a significant snow and rain storm. The National Weather Service is forecasting high winds gusting up to 40 mph and heavy rain early Saturday turning into snow overnight into Sunday morning. The high winds are expected to continue into the early afternoon Sunday.

The National Weather Service is predicting up to 3 to 4 inches of snow in northwest Providence county as well as heavy winds that could cause power outages and hazardous driving conditions. Snow will be preceded by rain Saturday; localized street flooding is likely during the daylight hours.

The storm has the potential to cause flooding, with the risk of tree and power-line damage from heavy wet snow accumulations. Residents are advised to be on the lookout and avoid trees still bearing leaves as they create the potential for heavy snow loading on branches and could damage previously-weakened trees.

Residents are asked to minimize on-street parking overnight on Saturday as much as possible, to keep roads clear for snow removal.

Residents are also advised to use caution while driving and to stay off the roads, if possible, during the height of the storm so that Department of Public Works crews can make the roads safe for travel.

Snow removal response
Department of Public Works crews will be staged Saturday evening ready to clear any plowable snow that falls. DPW will have more than 40 trucks on the road and will focus on clearing the main arteries, overpasses and hospital routes first, before making their way to secondary roads. Providence Police will monitor key intersections to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Residents are also encouraged to take the following steps:

• Avoid downed power lines and immediately report them to National Grid at (800) 322-3223
• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go the other way
• Report fallen branches that impose an immediate danger to the Fire Department at 274-3344
• All other non-emergency tree issues should be directed to the Forestry Department at 401-785-9450, extension 254
• In the event of an emergency, call E-911
• Make sure your emergency kit has drinking water, canned food, first aid supplies, flashlight and batteries and medications for 72 hours (for more information on emergency kits, go to www.ready.gov)
• In the event of power loss, use flashlights, not candles