Update: Closings, parking bans piling up as storm nears
5:19 PM Thu, Dec 18, 2008 | Permalink
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Rhode Island state and local officials are bracing for what's predicted to be a major winter storm tomorrow -- with heavy snowfalls, high winds, and poor visibility during the afternoon. The forecast is nearly a replica of last year's infamous Dec. 13, 2007 snowstorm that left a hundred Providence schoolchildren stranded on buses and motorists throughout Greater Providence and beyond trapped in gridlock for hour. This time, school is canceled in Providence tomorrow -- as are schools in almost all of Rhode Island's school districts as well as many private schools as of 5:15 p.m. Providence is announcing a parking ban beginning tomorrow morning, and the city is asking businesses to stagger their closings, so the streets aren't clogged with vehicles all at once. Providence police Maj. Paul Fitzgerald said the department is adding more officers tomorrow for directing traffic in areas when jams occur, tagging cars, and calling in nine tow companies to assist them moving vehicles that are stuck in snow or illegally parked. He said he expects that 300 to 400 vehicles will be towed tomorrow -- a prediction based on past experience with snowstorms in the city. Mayor David N. Cicilline and the Providence Emergency Management Agency are asking residents to avoid driving tomorrow after noon. They are also recommending that employers make plans to minimize the number of employees commuting to and from work during these hours. Providence also has 92 snowplows on standby, and plans to start sanding and salting roads tomorrow morning. During the Dec. 13, 2007, snowstorm, vehicles clogged the downtown streets before plows could clear them, creating more gridlock. Traffic lights were out at some critical intersections, and when some vehicles got stuck in the snow, they backed up traffic. The ramp to Route 95 by the Providence Place mall was backed up with vehicles for hours. Motorists had no place to go, because scattered accidents on Routes 95 and 295 had jammed the lanes, and plows weren't getting through. Pawtucket had problems with gridlock, as some motorists drove into the city to escape the highway. Pawtucket emergency management director Robert Howe said this morning that he'd had discussions with the city administration, the department of public works, the school district, and the First Student bus company about the storm. The city was enforcing a parking ban tomorrow, he said, but decisions on whether to hold school still hadn't been made. With high winds forecast for tomorrow night, Howe said he was concerned about power outages -- especially the impact on the elderly and special-needs residents. He said any residents who need assistance should call the fire department or the Pawtucket Emergency Operations Center, which will be opened tomorrow at 9 a.m. and throughout the storm. Check for the latest storm closings, delays, parking bans around R.I. -- with reports from Journal staff writers Amanda Milkovits and C. Eugene Emery Jr. 
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With the money we're pouring into National Grid they should be burying ever bit of cable they own.
There's no reason for storms to take out electrical power except financial and right now National Grid rapes us to the tune of a high per kWh rate and outrageous distribution charges.
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RIDICULOUS
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Tony P:
Buried cable is much more susceptible to damage and costs significantly more to maintain. Not to mention the capital outlay for such a vast change in infrastructure. Southern states (i.e. Georgia) went this route years ago and are now paying the price to undo buried utilities.
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Darn. My best friend's birthday is tomorrow. So much for those three weeks in planning celebrations.
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Now all we need is some snow!!!! know wonder why this state is in such trouble, the first sign of snow they roll up the streets and go home. The only thing my employees asked today was,"are we really working tomorrow", I guess they don't need the money. Ridiculous!!!!!
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Bill,
I understand your comments about the employees but the State is making a solid decision to limit damages and liability. By the way, your word "know" should be "no". I'm sure you would want your employees to be accurate with their spelling.
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So what do you want them to do Bill? There're going to be accidents regardless of whether work is called off or not. The people under financial stress are gonna need their cars.
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I'm from Providence but I've been living in Sweden (Stockholm)the last 27 years. When I tell people here how Rhode Island reacts when they get some snow, they ask if New England hasn't always had snow in the winter. Things here (and people) function even with snow, and a lot more of it.
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It's only a snowstorm for Pet's sake!! By the time the storm strikes and ends, the snowplow and sand truck drivers will be exhausted because they reported to work too soon. Besides, you can't keep plowing snow while it falls too fast in the midst of a storm. The ironic part is that people who don't work or go to school today will be out and about just the same.
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To Wes Wright
Where did you got the idea that buried cable is more susceptible to damage? That makes no sense. Can you provide backup? Thanks.
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