Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tropical Storm Irene rolled into Rhode Island a year ago this week — have you taken any steps to be ready in case of another storm?
It's been a year since Tropical Storm Irene roared into Rhode Island, leaving thousands without electrical power. Many folks will also probably remember the run on batteries, especially D-types, that emptied nearly every local store. Utility company National Grid, which officials and residents criticized last year for delays in restoring electrical service, this year issued a list of steps it's taken to be in better shape to respond to potential problems. Now that we're back in hurricane season — although there's no immediate threat of a storm of Irene's power — it's a good time to ask: Have you done anything to prepare for another hurricane or tropical storm? Did you go out and buy an electrical generator? Have you stocked up on water, …
Friday, December 2, 2011
A National Grid leader says the company will be more active in trimming trees around electrical wires, if towns give them permission.
After a litany of speakers criticized National Grid's preparation for Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween weekend storm Thursday night, the president of National Grid Massachusetts said her company would get more aggressive at trimming trees, if towns let them. National Grid Massachusetts President Marcy Reed said to the audience during a public hearing: "Last year new legislation passed, which allows us to present an annual tree-trimming plan to a town or city's tree warden. If the tree warden approves the plan, we can then go into the town and do our work without the need to attend weekly meetings and talk about particular areas of concern." How do you feel? Should National Grid get more aggressive at cutting back trees located near …
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Residents wonder what, if anything, is covered by their insurance.
The impact left by Tropical Storm Irene was felt by residents up and down the Eastern Seaboard who were impacted by Irene's powerful 50- to 70-mile-per-hour winds. Residents felt the wrath of Irene, which left more than one million people without power in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and left the two states with damaged homes, empty refrigerators and a mountain of unexpected bills. Downed trees and other wind damage could total about $5 billion in personal claims, according to the Consumer Federation of America. Now, residents want answers on how to regain some of the funds lost from renting hotel rooms, throwing out spoiled food and replacing their homes and boats. Some wanted those answers as early as Sunday morning, according to …
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Ways to get involved in future response and recovery efforts.
Hurricane Irene has passed, but many in our area are still working to clean up and get back on track. Here are some ways that you can get involved in helping now, and in future emergency situations: 1) ServeCorps Disaster Team: ServeRI, the state's hub for volunteer recruitment, has been organizing teams to assist with post-Irene cleanup. Call 401-331-2298 to see how you can still help. You can also consider becoming a member of the ServeCorps Disaster Team, a group of volunteers who are trained to help state and local municipalities in disaster preparation, response and recovery. Different levels of commitment are offered and no experience is required. For more information, please contact Serve Rhode Island: (401) 331-2298 ext. 112 or e-…
Saturday, September 3, 2011
In the midst of last week's storm, some folks looked for ways to lighten up.
Follow these links for more on these stories: Warren Family Embraces Irene, Camps Out in Front Yard Residents Make the Most Out of a Power-less Situation Scampis, Anna D's Offer Free Food, Ice Cream After Irene Newport Soldiers On Through Irene Seekonk Youth Set Out to Document Hurricane Fury
Friday, September 2, 2011
Weary residents send a message to National Grid.
Some folks will do whatever it takes to make sure National Grid doesn't leave them in the dark any longer. This sign was posted on Willett Avenue sometime on Thursday. Residents are hoping it will get some attention for the folks who live in the Pine Crest Drive-Viola Avenue-Peach Orchard Drive area.
Businesses can tap into a $500,000 pool for loans at 5% interest rates.
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Friday, September 2, 2011
Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced earlier this week the establishment of a $500,000 loan fund to assist Rhode Island businesses that have been affected by Tropical Storm Irene. The loans are being made available through the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Loan Fund “Although we in Rhode Island were fortunate to avoid any loss of life, there is no doubt that Irene took a toll on businesses throughout the state,” Gov. Chafee said. “These funds will help small businesses that sustained damage or had their services interrupted by the storm get back on their feet as soon as possible. Rhode Island did an excellent job preparing for Irene, and now we want to bring that same commitment to the recovery process.” “It …
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Riverside residents try to find the bright side of the storm.
Hurricane Irene has reaped some surprising benefits for folks in Riverside. Of course, how you feel about that seems to depend on how old you are. If you’re a young person, like 16-year-old Nick Karalekas, who lives on Ferncrest Drive near Waddington School, the loss of electricity was not such a good thing. On Wednesday afternoon, he said he was getting ready to go back to St. Raphael's Academcy on Thursday (postponed from Tuesday) and was trying to do schoolwork without benefit of electricity for a couple of days. “I read with a candle,” he said. “We lost power on Sunday morning at 9:30 and got it back on Tuesday night at 7.” Nick also talked about how boring it was to be without the use of TV, internet and computers. “We have a 3-year-…
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
East Providence emergency management director Wayne Barnes says National Grid crews are arriving in the city daily.
National Grid crews are flooding into East Providence to continue making repairs to restore power to the nearly 2,000 homes without it. East Providence’s acting emergency management director, Wayne Barnes, said National Grid has crews from across the country arriving in Rhode Island every day. They’re coming now from the Midwest, from as far away as Michigan and Wisconsin … More are coming in tonight and tomorrow,” Barnes said. Many are coming to the city. “They are making definite progress,” Barnes said. “I think National Grid is doing everything they can. They’re bringing outage numbers down, I think by the hour.” Barnes said repairs have been slow in Rhode Island neighborhoods because National Grid had to focus on the numerous …
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Rocks on Riverside Avenue have been looking at downed trees, live wires and a smashed pool for two and a half days.
Margaret and Michael Rock were inside their home in the Bullocks Cove neighborhood when Tropical Storm Irene roared to life Sunday morning. When they heard the first crack, they knew there was trouble. An enormous 60-foot tree had toppled, digging up a gaping hole, tearing down wires and smashing a handmade white fence that was decades old. Fifteen minutes later, they heard another crack, and this tree fell atop their above-ground pool, bringing down more wires and splitting the side of the pool. That was 56 hours ago. They’ve called the city, called National Grid and visited the mayor’s office, and they’ve been told help is coming. The East Providence Fire Department came to the house Sunday, taped off the trees and told them the wires …
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Grampy
7:51 am on Monday, December 5, 2011
Yes i'm refering to tree trimming...The bottom line is no one wants to pay to have them either trim the trees, or bury the lines.. more ›