Rhode Island braces for early season nor’easter

Charge your phones and tablets, stay away from the water, and use extra caution if you must be on the roads.

That’s Gov. Dan McKee’s advice as the state prepares for an early season nor’easter expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain, potential power outages and flooding to Rhode Island between Friday night and Sunday.

“We’ve been through this exercise many times before,” McKee told reporters gathered at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency’s Cranston headquarters Friday morning. “Conditions will be dangerous, and I think that as we need to really reinforce the fact that there’s no need to take any levels of risk with your safety.”

The National Weather Service forecasts wind gusts of up to 50 to 60 mph, with the strongest winds expected along Narragansett Bay and the southern coast of the state, along with Block Island. 

Leaves still covering many trees this early in autumn could catch the wind and increase the risk of tree damage and power outages, Torry Dooley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norton, Massachusetts, said 

“That will kind of pull the branches and stuff like that and especially if there are trees that are maybe not the healthiest,” Dooley said in an interview.

A high wind warning is in effect Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday. A coastal flood warning is in effect from 5 p.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday.

Rhode Island Energy President Greg Cornett told reporters at the Emergency Management Agency headquarters that the utility provider is fully staffed and prepared to respond throughout the storm. Cornett said the utility company secured about 215 crews to work throughout the weekend. Though he noted sustained winds above 35 mph will prevent crews from working from their trucks.

“We will be working throughout the course of the event to try to ensure that we can restore in real time as quickly as possible,” Cornett said.

Rhode Island Energy expects to know almost immediately when customers lose power since most have smart meters connected to their homes. Cornett advised residents to have to ensure their devices and backup batteries are fully charged in preparation for potential outages. 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office urged Rhode Islanders to use caution with portable generators in case of loss of power.

“Portable generators emit carbon monoxide, a toxic and deadly gas that is impossible to detect without proper equipment since it is colorless and odorless,” State Fire Marshal Timothy P. McLaughlin said in a statement.

Conditions offshore will be particularly dangerous as the storm strengthens, Dooley said. Winds over the water could reach 45 to 60 knots, with offshore seas building to 15 to 25 feet.

“Very large dangerous waves for the mariners,” Dooley said.

The storm is expected to drop 1.5 to 3 inches of rain in Providence, with most areas seeing between 1.5 and 2.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service. The rain will be spread out throughout the weekend rather than falling in one heavy burst, though Dooley said heavier downpours are possible.

Rain could still cause localized flooding, particularly in areas with poor drainage. McKee told reporters the Rhode Island Department of Transportation has assigned crews to clean drains ahead of the storm and will have equipment ready to respond to any resulting flooded roadways.

AAA Northeast urged drivers to slow down on wet roads, leave extra space between vehicles, and move over when approaching roadside assistance vehicles, first responders or maintenance crews.

Despite the potential for power outages, flooding and tree damage, McKee said he does not expect the storm to cause enough damage to qualify for a federal emergency. The state was denied federal aid for the February blizzard, which caused about $19 million in damage and cleanup costs after the state was buried under more than 3 feet of snow.

Rhode Island’s all-Democratic congressional delegation is now seeking answers about why the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state’s request for blizzard aid after McKee’s appeal was denied earlier this month.

“We’ve done what we can,” McKee told Rhode Island Current after his press conference. “Now we have to rely on the Trump administration to do the right thing.”