Hurricane Henri turns more towards Rhode Island. Stay vigilant – shelter in place

Photo, 5am: (GOES-16 satellite via Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere – https://rammb-slider.cira.colostate.edu)

Expect the hurricane to intensify over the morning hours – with landfall in the greater noontime-2pm hours. The track of the hurricane has moved to the east with more of an impact on Rhode Island. Landfall could now be between Rhode Island and Connecticut, with Block Island squarely in its path. Officials are saying for everyone to be prepared for multiple day electrical outages.

7am to noon should be the worst – noon to 8pm, heavy rain, surges and wind – after 8pm, diminishing winds – Monday: lingering showers, breezy.

Check our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the day as long as we have electrical power.

Several cities/towns and groups have released information to help us deal with Hurricane Henri damage and issues. We’ve compiled some for our readers:

In Providence:

Heavy rain and high winds on Saturday night and Sunday could cause damage, flooding

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Clara Decerbo are advising Providence residents to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Henri on Sunday.

Although the storm is shifting west as it approaches New England, Henri is expected to bring dangerous storm surge inundation and tropical storm conditions to Rhode Island, including strong, damaging winds of 30 to 60 with gusts to 70 miles per hour and heavy, extended rain that could cause significant flooding.

Shelter: In coordination with the American Red Cross, the City will be opening a regional shelter beginning on Saturday evening at 8:00pm. The shelter will be located at the Providence Career & Technical Academy, 41 Fricker Street, Providence and will be open to all individuals needing a safe place to shelter from the storm. No pets will be allowed in the shelter and water and snacks will be provided. Masks will be required in the shelter at all times and COVID-19 precautions will be closely followed.

There are potential impacts from this storm such as downed trees, power outages, coastal flooding and beach erosion.

The City of Providence plans on providing updates through news media and social media. Follow these accounts for the most current information:

• Mayor Elorza’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/MayorJorgeElorza
• Mayor Elorza’s Twitter: @Jorge_Elorza
• City of Providence’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofProvidence
• City of Providence’s Twitter: @CityofProv
• PEMA Twitter: @PEMA591

The Department of Public Works will be checking storm drains to ensure that they are clear of debris. Residents are asked to please assist the Public Works Department by ensuring leaves and debris are cleared from street drains and catch basins in front of their homes and on corners, as significant rain and local flooding is likely.

Officials will also closely monitor areas prone to flooding and work closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency responsible for operating the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier.

Mariners and residents are advised to avoid any activity on the water, as offshore rip currents and strong seas are expected.

Residents are advised to take the following precautions to prepare for the storm:

• Seek shelter in advance of the expected start of the storm.    
• Secure lawn furniture and outdoor decorations.
• Store trash cans in a garage, if you have one, or secure them in your yard.
• Take down anything that can be sent airborne in heavy winds.
• Clear any debris from street drains and catch basins in front of your home.
• In the event of flooding, stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way.
• Make sure your vehicle has enough gas in the event of power outages that could close gas stations.
• Assemble an emergency kit with a 72-hour supply of water, a First Aid kit, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, warm blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing, pet food and books, puzzles, games and other activities for children.
• Be prepared with working flashlights, a battery operated radio, keep mobile phones charged, and an extra supply of batteries in your home. The Providence Emergency Management Agency, public utilities and other emergency response agencies will provide regular updates to the news media regarding power outages, street closures and other vital information.
• Never touch downed power lines. It is safer to assume that all fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see a downed power line, report it immediately to National Grid at (800) 322-3223.  Report any fallen branches that pose a danger to the Fire Department at 274-3344.  In the event of an emergency, call 911.
• Do not operate generators indoors.
• Do not operate grills indoors. 

In Cranston, from Mayor Hopkins:

• Pay attention to the news. The situation will be fluid and it is important to stay up to date.
• Charge all of your electronic devices. Make sure you have batteries and flashlights ready. Power outages are expected.
• Have enough water and food stored to last a few days, just incase.
• Bring all trash barrels and outdoor furniture inside. Keep in mind that a trash delay is a possibility.
• If you are in need of shelter, check back on my Facebook page or the City website in the coming days.
• The State is expected to release a list of regional state shelters tomorrow.
• Resources: Emergency: 911 / Cranston Highway Division: (401) 942-9200 / National Grid: (800) 465-1212 or nationalgrid.com/outagesCity / Website: cranstonri.gov

Greater Newport area:

Preparation efforts have focused on pulling out boats and securing others and all around battening on the waterfront.

Aquidneck Island’s designated Emergency Shelter is the Gaudet Middle School in Middletown and it was being readied to open, if needed.

Beaches will be closed in Middletown for Sat, Sun and Monday. In Newport, both Easton’s Beach and East Bailey’s Beach was closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Low-lying and easily flooded roads were being blocked off Saturday.

Residents were asked to secure their property. Contractors were being asked to secure their worksites.

Newporters can sign up for RaveAlert, the city’s notification system, by clicking the signup link at cityofnewport.com/en-us/living-in-newport/city-hall/emergency-alerts.

Follow Middletown’s Twitter account – @RiMiddletown – National Weather Service account – @NWSBoston

Connecticut:

As the Hurricane pitched more to the west, Gov. Ned Lamont warned Connecticut residents Friday they should prepare to “shelter in place” from Sunday afternoon through at least Monday morning, as the state braces for the first possible direct hit from a hurricane in decades. With the increased turn towards Connecticut, plus the full moon tide, the Governor says power outages could be 5-10 days – or even weeks. Mandatory evacuations are underway in low-lying areas.

Governor McKee – Advice for Rhode Islanders:

With the National Weather Service increasingly confident that Tropical Storm Henri will make landfall on the southern New England coast Sunday into Monday, by which time it might strengthen into a hurricane, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today is announcing several preparations aimed at keeping Rhode Islanders and visitors safe from storm impacts. Gov. McKee has signed a Declaration of Emergency to manage the storm situation.

To sign up for RI’s Code Red alert system, go here: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF1E5F52D694

All State-run COVID-19 test sites will be closed on Sunday, August 22nd. The State will continue to monitor Hurricane Henri and assess whether sites will reopen or remain closed on Monday.

State beaches: Rip currents and high surf

– State beaches will remain open on Saturday but will likely close on Sunday with a delayed opening of 12 PM on Monday, August 23. DEM will monitor beaches closely on Saturday, with managers and lifeguards using discretion in allowing swimming with restrictions (ankle-deep, knee-deep, or waist-deep) depending on conditions.

– DEM urges the public to use caution along shoreline areas from now until the storm passes due to anticipated rip currents and high surf. Rhode Island often experiences needless tragedy during storms when wave-watchers or anglers who have climbed onto rocks near the shore get hit by waves, are quickly swept out to deep water, and drown.

State parks:

– Facilities and amenities at state parks will be open Saturday but closed on Sunday.

– DEM will be barricading the entrances to Beavertail State Park in Jamestown and the Camp Cronin Fishing Area in Narragansett – the sites of recent drownings – to be very clear that the public should not be there.

State campgrounds:

– State campgrounds will be closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Staff will assess storm damage and clean up on Monday. This would be hard to do with campers coming back into the grounds.

Dams:

– Dam owners and operators are responsible for maintaining the safety of their dams. DEM asks owners to inspect dams to make sure that spillways and downstream channels are free and clear of obstructions before the storm.

– Because of predicted damaging winds and heavy rainfalls, DEM asks owners and operators to monitor dams for any potentially unsafe conditions, including overturned trees, an elevated pond that may lead to overtopping the dam, new or additional leakage through the dam, or movement of the dam.

– Dam owners do not need state or local government approval to temporarily release extra water from their dams before or during a storm if they believe it is necessary to ensure the safety of the dam. It is critical for owners and operators to notify the local emergency management officials or police/fire of the actions they may take so that local officials are aware of potential downstream impacts.

– DEM instructs dam owners to report any unsafe conditions to local emergency management officials and to DEM’s 24-hour emergency number at 222-3070. After the storm, owners are instructed to notify DEM’s Dam Safety Program at 222-1360 of any storm-related damage that may have occurred at their dams.

Pet sheltering:

– After Hurricane Katrina, federal and state officials learned that some pet owners who stayed put when told to evacuate did so because they did not have a place to go with their pets. This resulted in people being killed or needing rescue. The purpose of emergency pet sheltering is to ensure that people will evacuate and get out of harm’s way. If you are told to evacuate, do so, but bring your pet with you. If you need to stay at a shelter, you will need to first bring your pet to your local municipal animal shelter. Under no circumstances should pets be left behind. People who own livestock and horses likely can’t evacuate, so they should start making provisions to shelter in place. See http://www.dem.ri.gov/topics/erp/6_8.pdf for more specific information and advice.

State Port of Galilee:

– DEM has notified commercial fishermen berthed at Galilee to secure boats and remove all items from docks.

Gov. Press Conference notes:

Hurricane 1 category –

5 Regional shelters:

Pilgrim HS, Warwick – Providence Career & Technical Academy, Prov – McCourt Middle School, Cumberland – Gaudet Middle School, Middletown – South Kingstown High School – South Kingstown

Charge all your devices – laptops, phones – you can recharge a phone in your car, if need be.

Stay home from Sunday night through Monday – Stay Home & Stay Safe

Call 211 for more info

Storm is more to the West, so our damage will come more from wind than rain.

Worst expected around 11am

Providence Hurricane Barrier will be closing

Press conferences set for 10am and 2pm.

National Grid

If you have a power outage, we offer several ways that you can stay connected and informed.

Reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter We post the latest updates from our crews, images from the storm, and important safety tips. We’ll help with: reporting your outage information on your estimated restoration time

Outage Alerts Sign up to receive personalized real-time outage information For email or phone alerts: Login to your account and update your preferences. If you don’t have an online account, register here. Or Text REG to 64743* to get text alerts (*have your 10-digit account number ready)

Here is a link to their electrical outage map, which updates in real time: https://outagemap.ri.nationalgridus.com/

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After the Storm – Tips from ServiceMaster

Minimizing damage after hurricane flooding.

We know how strong winds, rain and storm surge can disrupt lives and cause water damage to businesses and homes in our community. ServiceMaster By Mason can help you minimize additional water damage with our 24/7 prompt response, equipment rentals for DIY-ers, and by considering the following steps. After experiencing water damage, businesses should:

• Use fans to circulate the air and assist drying.
• Use dehumidifiers if available.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under all furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings. Wipe furniture and shelves dry. 
• Open desk drawers, and closet and office doors to enhance drying.
• Document any property damage with photographs.
• Do not remove damp books from shelves. Leave tight to prevent pages from rippling.
• Control interior temperatures with heat or air conditioning. Keep interior temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees.

Important warnings on water damage:

• Do not use an ordinary “household” vacuum to remove water.
• Do not use electrical equipment while on wet carpet or wet floors.
• Do not go into your building until it has been inspected for damage, gas lines, septic systems and water lines.
• Do not lift tacked down carpet without professional help.

During these warm temperatures, it’s important to dry or discard wet items within 48 to 72 hours to avoid harmful mold growth. Even after wet items are removed, mold may remain hidden in drywall, carpeting and HVAC systems. The sooner a ServiceMaster By Mason remediation expert can get to items covered in mold, the less long-term damage and costs.

Should your business need water, fire, biohazard, mold or other clean-up or restoration services after a storm, the team at ServiceMaster By Mason is available to help 24/7 and get you back in business – fast!

For additional details or to schedule assistance, contact us at 800-934-5869 or visit us at www.servicemasterbymason.com

Bonjour et au revoir, Henri!