Citizens also reminded to take safety measures during today's extreme heat.

City officials are reporting significant damage to areas in Providence affected by thunderstorms and high velocity winds early Thursday morning. Mayor Angel Taveras had the opportunity this morning to survey the affected areas with Commissioner of Public Safety Steven Pare and Providence Emergency Management Agency Director Peter Gaynor.

"Given the damage, it is a miracle that no one was seriously injured," said Mayor Taveras, who toured affected areas this morning. "Crews are on the scene working to make sure our streets are safe from any hazardous situations caused by this storm. It's going to take a sustained effort to restore the neighborhoods affected and I will continue to personally monitor the situation over the days and weeks to come."

Throughout the day, the Providence Emergency Management Agency, led by Colonel Peter Gaynor, has been providing the administration with up-to-the-minute reports on damage and storm response. City officials have also been in close contact with State leadership.

Thirteen municipal crews have been deployed as part of the City's emergency response. Citizens are urged to stay away from fallen trees and downed power lines. Avoid damaged areas when commuting. Please also call the Office of Neighborhood Services at 421-2489 if you need assistance recovering from the storm. As always, in the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

As of 10:00AM Thursday, the Fire Department, Department of Public Works and the Parks Department's Forestry Division crews had responded to 150 calls for service for downed trees and wires. No serious injuries have been reported. One minor injury was reported due to flying glass from hail breaking through a window. Two people were rescued from the roofs of their cars due to flooding. Several buildings suffered wind damage although no major fires or serious incidents were reported during the storm.

Crews from DPW and Parks are on the scene removing trees and hazardous debris. Contract tree crews are also being recalled to work on removing fallen trees.

Officials are advising residents of the following safety precautions:

• Do not place trees in the roadway or on sidewalks today. Keep them on your property until access issues are rectified. The City will pick them up in a few days.
  
• The City is only removing trees on public property and priorities for removal are trees on:
  1. down wires
  2. roads
  3. driveways
  
• Property owners who are removing trees and debris from private property are advised to check references and make sure that they select a contractor who is licensed and bonded.

For trees that are not posing a safety hazard, contact the Parks Department Forestry Division at 785-9450.

National Grid is working to restore power to the over 5,000 customers affected by the storm. Most customers are expected to have power back by this morning, but some could go without power for longer. If power outages occur, contact National Grid at 1-800-322-3223. Do not touch any downed utility lines and report them to the Fire Department at 274-3344.

The City has organized volunteers to provide extra staff and support at the West End Community Center for residents who have been temporarily displaced from their homes by the storm. The center is located at 109 Bucklin Street.

Providence Public Schools announced a 1-hour delay for most schools except for four that were heavily affected by the power outages: Fortes Elementary School, Lima Elementary School, the Fortes-Lima Complex and Webster Elementary School.

(PHOTOS COURTESY OF PEMA)

STAY COOL DURING EXTREME HOT WEATHER

Yesterday, the Mayor and PEMA Officials also announced safety measures for all citizens at the onset of a two-day heat wave in Providence. The City is advising residents again to take advantage of cooling shelters open:

Federal Hill House
9 Courtland Street
6:30am - 6pm

Silver Lake Annex Multi- Purpose Community Center
529 Plainfield Street
6:30am - 5pm

Joslin Community Development Corporation
231 Amherst Street
9am- 5pm

Nickerson Community Center
133 Delaine Street
9am - 5pm

Capitol Community Center
110 Ruggles Street
7am - 5pm

Davinci Center for Community Progress
470 Charles Street
8:30am -4:30pm

West End Community Center
109 Bucklin Street
9am - 5:30pm

Jewish Community Center
409 Elmgrove Avenue
Wednesday and Thursday 5am-9pm
Friday 5am-6pm

Library Branches
Residents may also seek shelter at the following Providence Community Library branches:

Fox Point Library
90 Ives Street
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Mt. Pleasant Library
315 Academy Avenue
Wednesday 12:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Friday 12:00 - 6:00 pm

Olneyville Library
Olneyville Square
Wednesday 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday & Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Rochambeau Library
708 Hope Street
Wednesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday 12:00 - 6:00 pm

South Providence Library
441 Prairie Avenue
Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday & Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Wanskuck Library
233 Veazie Street
Wednesday 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

Washington Park Library
1316 Broad Street
Wednesday 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday 1:00 - 6:00 pm

The Salvation Army is also operating a cooling station today, June 9 from 12-3PM on Dorrance Street in front of Providence City Hall.