Northern RI – The region’s largest snow storm in years is set to arrive this weekend, and officials across northern Rhode Island are now preparing, while warning residents to avoid travel and be ready for possible power outages, as cancellations of Monday activities roll in.
Snowfall is expected to begin around 9 a.m. Sunday morning, Jan. 25, and continue through much of Monday, with accumulation of 12 to 18 inches expected, according to the latest projections from the National Weather Service. NWS noted that the last time the region saw a storm this large was in 2022.
On Friday, the town of North Smithfield announced that trash service on Monday, Jan. 26 was be cancelled, with collection for the remainder of the week delayed by one day. Town Hall will also be closed on Monday, including early voting currently underway for the town’s special election bond referendum.
A parking ban goes into effect in North Smithfield beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday morning until further notice.
Town Administrator Scott Gibbs announced that in the event residents lose power, the warming center for North Smithfield residents is at Scouter’s Hall, but will only be opened if needed. Gibbs noted that the North Smithfield Emergency Management Agency is currently operating without a director following the retirement in November of longtime leader Peter Branconniere. NSEMA’s two deputy directors – Jay Levenson and Dan Taylor – are filling in with Gibbs as acting director.
Anyone with questions on the town’s warming center is instructed to call Gibbs at (401) 636-9894.
A parking ban goes into effect in North Smithfield at 7 a.m. Sunday morning and will remain in place until further notice.
In Burrillville, town-wide department leaders met Saturday morning to discuss preparedness for the storm.
“Local EMA has been in constant communication with the state EMA,” said Burrillville EMA Director Michael Gingell.
Gingell noted Burrillville police and fire departments will have extra staffing, and that representatives from local utilities also weighed in, as well as Public Works Director Jeffrey McCormick.
“They’re 100 percent ready with equipment and supplies,” he said of Burrillville DPW. “CREW also said they’re 100 percent ready with staffing and equipment. It’s going to be a light, fluffy snow.”
Clear River Electric & Water reminded residents that in extreme cold temperatures, it’s easy for pipes to freeze in unheated areas such as basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets.
“Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing,” noted CREW. “When the weather is very cold outside, please let the cold water drip at a minimal amount from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent frozen pipes.”
The Harrisville Fire Department reminded residents to stock up on food, water and medication, and to check in on elderly neighbors.
Jesse Smith Library at 100 Tinkham Lane will be a warming center for those in town with no heat or electricity, with hours Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Burrillville residents seeking warming centers outside of library hours should contact the Burrillville Police Department’s non-emergency line at (401) 568-6255.
Burrillville Police will institute a parking ban from Sunday at 10 a.m. until further notice and all Burrillville Public Schools are closed on Monday.
The Glocester Emergency Management Agency reminded residents to report any power outages directly to Rhode Island Energy, not the police department. Outages can be reported to (855) 743-1101 or online at https://selfserve.rienergy.com/report-an-outage/report-issue.
“During power outages we automatically coordinate with RI Energy to get crews to our area,” Glocester EMA noted.
Glocester Public Works has implemented a parking ban through Monday and Glocester Elementary Schools will have no school on Monday. Ponaganset students in grades 6 through 12 will have a virtual learning day.
Warming centers in Glocester with hours are as follows:
Glocester Manton Free Library: 1137 Putnam Pike
- Mon – Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Fri: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM
- Phone: 401-568-6077
Glocester Senior Center: 1210 Putnam Pike
- Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 4 PM
- Phone: 401-567-4557
Glocester Town Hall: 1145 Putnam Pike
- Will be opened as needed. Hours: to be determined, this is not a standing warming center.
- Phone: 401-568-6206
Harmony Library: 195 Putnam Pike
- Mon – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM
- Phone: 401-949-2850
NWS Boston has been posting information on snow projections regularly as the storm gets closer and updates can be found on social media. As of Saturday afternoon, the service noted that the period of heaviest snowfall will be Sunday afternoon through midnight.
“Snow then becomes lighter late Sunday night and Monday as it tapers off through the day from west to east,” NWS noted.
Cancellations throughout the state are updated regularly on the RI Broadcasters website here.
