Weather

Storm Recovery To Take Days: National Grid

School in some communities will be out, too, until the power is back on.

Margo Sullivan's profile picture
Margo Sullivan, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
COVENTRY, RI—National Grid reported more than 118,000 customers without power in Rhode Island as of 11 p.m. Monday. They may be not be back for several more days, the company said. Monday, crews spent most of the day assessing the situation.

"Damage assessment and restoration efforts are underway but restoration will be a multi-day effort due to the extensive damage," the power company said. "Crews are working on repairing transmission lines first, which will restore power to large groups of customers. National Grid urges customers to stay safe, keep away from downed power lines, and report any outages."

Among the hardest hit were more than 7,000 households in Coventry and more than 7,000 in Bristol. Bristol's Town Administrator, Steve Contente, notified residents more than 80 percent if Bristol had lost power.

"National Grid Electric has informed me that there are a number of feeder line breaks supplying Bristol and that total restoration could take up to several days in some areas," he wrote. "I expect Hope Street at Union Street to by opened to traffic this evening as National Grid is currently removing lines for (the Department of Transportation) DOT. I have been communication with Governor Raimondo and have been updating Bristol Warren Regional School Superintendent Andrade; so that an informed decision can be made relating to school tomorrow. Town Hall along with most Town buildings are open. The Community Center on Asylum Road will be open and staffed through the night and until power is restored. I will post with any developments."

Several communities, among them Narragansett and Warwick, opened shelters during the day s0 people could charge up cell phones and other electronics.

In Providence, city officials urged parents and youngsters not to trick or treat in neighborhoods still in the dark, due to danger, including being hit by a car.

Find out what's happening in Bristol-Warrenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The health department reminded people to throw out food in refrigerators if it went bad.

Find out what's happening in Bristol-Warrenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Bristol-Warren