Rhode Island Braces for Widespread, Multi-Day Power Outages as Blizzard Approaches
Rhode Island residents are preparing for potentially days without power as a powerful blizzard bears down on Southern New England. As of 4:30 a.m. Monday, approximately 5,300 Rhode Island Energy customers were already experiencing outages, primarily in Washington County. Eversource reported around 5,700 outages in its Eastern Massachusetts region, concentrated on Cape Cod.
Leaders in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have warned that the storm has the potential to cause widespread and prolonged power disruptions. Brian Schuster of Rhode Island Energy described the anticipated impact as “a big one,” forecasting between 100,000 and 150,000 outages across the state. He emphasized that restoring power will be “a multi-day restoration effort.”
Rhode Island Energy has mobilized significant resources in anticipation of the storm. The utility has 200 line crews and 80 forestry crews on standby, with staging sites established at the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, Ninigret Park, and Middletown. However, Schuster cautioned that crews will be unable to begin repairs until the storm subsides.
Officials noted that while recent snowfall totals may be similar to previous storms, the nature of this storm presents unique challenges. The combination of projected wind speeds and the expected wet, heavy snow is raising concerns about the integrity of the electrical infrastructure. “Potentially high winds, which we didn’t really notice in the last snowstorm that we had,” explained Michael Dalo, a Rhode Island Energy spokesperson. “Likewise, the snow and the storm is looking like it’s going to be a little bit more wet, heavy snow.”
The transition to wet, heavy snow is particularly problematic for utility workers. This type of snow accumulates on tree branches and power lines, increasing the risk of breakage, especially when combined with strong winds. The situation is reminiscent of a nor’easter that impacted Rhode Island in January 2022, though that storm featured lighter snow and resulted in fewer outages.
Governor Dan McKee’s administration has issued several recommendations for residents to prepare for potential power outages:
- Fully charge cell phones and other electronic devices before the storm arrives.
- Stay away from downed or low-hanging power lines, treating them as energized and dangerous. Never touch anything that may be in contact with a power line.
- If you lose heat, conserve warmth by closing doors to unused rooms and sealing drafts with towels or blankets.
Schuster explained that Rhode Island Energy’s new smart meters allow the utility to detect outages as they occur. However, he noted that the rollout of this technology is still in progress, and customers should still report outages directly.
Customers can report power outages to Rhode Island Energy online, by texting OUTAGE to 743674, or by calling 855-743-1101. Eversource customers can log in to the utility’s website to report outages. National Grid customers can call 1-800-465-1212. For outages in the Clear River Electric and Water District, call 401-568-6222.
Resources for Outage Information:
Residents can also find additional information and resources on the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency website, including links to power outage maps from various utility providers: https://riema.ri.gov/resources/power-outage-maps.
