Politics & Government
EP STORM CENTER: Chill Settles In, Snowfall on High End of Forecast
Check here for weather updates, city alerts and safety information.
SATURDAY, Jan. 4:
Snow storm "Hercules" has forced the closing of the Recreation Center for today, Saturday. The Center will re-open on Monday, Jan. 6, at 9 a.m.
The Adult Special Needs Saturday Program for today is also cancelled.
FRIDAY, Jan. 3:
The snow is mostly done, save for a few flurries, and DPW Director Steve Coutu reports the roads are clear after a full evening of plowing. "We're still out, mopping up," Coutu said this morning.Coutu said the city got the high end of snowfall in the forecasts, about 10-12 inches.
As the snow tapered, local officials warned of extremely cold temperatures settling in for the next two days, with wind chills dipping as low as -12 degrees:
Officials Warn of Extremely Cold Temperatures Today, Saturday
Snow Winding Down; Deep Freeze Setting In
If you're braving those temperatures, experts advise bundling up in layers and protecting your ears and nose, which can quickly become frostbitten under current conditions.
If you're braving those temperatures and have photos from the experience (likely taken from a warm location with windows), send them our way:
Share Your 'Hercules' Snow Storm Photos
For other updates on weather and storm news (and more!), follow East Providence Patch on Facebook and Twitter or sign-up for our e-mail newsletter.
THURSDAY, Jan. 2:
UPDATE - 4:19 p.m.: Trash collection will begin at 9 a.m. Friday due to the storm. The DPW asks residents to wait until Friday morning to put barrels and recycling carts out to the curb. Collectors will not start to pick up rubbish and recycling until 9 a.m. This will give resident time to get barrels and carts set out to the curb in the morning.
For more information, contact the Dept. of Public Works/Recycling
office at or 435.7710.
UPDATE - 3:40 p.m.: East Providence Public Schools have canceled classes for Friday as most Rhode Islanders prepare for an additional 5-9 inches overnight following today's 1-3 inches of snowfall. Snow is expected to continue through Friday at noon.
The following additional cancelations have been announced:
- Gordon School: Closed Friday
- RI Phil Music School: Cancelled all lessons & classes; All Locations
- MTTI: No Classes Friday
- East Providence Municipal Court: Closed This Evening; Postponned to 2/6/14
10 a.m.: The East Providence DPW and Police Department have announced a parking ban for the city as a snowstorm predicted to drop 6-10 inches on the area rolls in.
A few local schools and programs have also begun listing cancelations for the day:
- Trailside Daycare: Closing Thursday, 3 p.m.
- Sacred Heart Nursery School and Day Care: Closed Friday
- Boys and Girls Club Child Care: Williams closes at 4 p.m.; Oldham closed
- RI Phil Music School: Cancelled all lessons & classes; All Locations
- East Providence Public Schools: No afternoon activities.
- There will be a parking ban in effect for the city starting at 3 p.m. - Any cars parked on the street after that time, given a reasonable grace period, will be ticketed and towed to make way for plows.
- CODAC - East Bay: Closed Friday; Bring Takehome Box Thursday
- Trailside Daycare: Closing Thursday @ 3 p.m.
Keep an eye on updated weather conditions with the EP Patch Weather Page.
Storm Watch Issued As Snow Approaches
Snow Storm Expected to Hit Region
A gentle reminder: BE CAREFUL! Snowblowers can be dangerous. Police and fire departments always seem to have to respond to snowblower injuries.
For other updates on weather and storm news (and more!), follow East Providence Patch on Facebook and Twitter or sign-up for our e-mail newsletter.Customers Urged to Keep in Touch
In addition to Outage Central, National Grid offers a number of ways for customers to report outages or learn about restoration efforts and important safety information. Here’s how:
Outage reporting hotline – Rhode Island customers should call 1-800-465-1212 to report an outage.
Text messages – Customers can receive text message alerts and updates through a free service the company offers. Text the word STORM to NGRID (64743) to sign up for the service.
National Grid uses social media – Facebook and Twitter – to communicate with customers about service issues and interruptions during storms.
E-mail alerts are also available to customers who create an online profile on the company’s website. All alert services can be started and stopped at the customer’s request.
Customers can use their mobile devices to track outage information and storm related safety tips through National Grid’s new mobile site that can be accessed atnationalgrid.com.
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