News Summary
Severe thunderstorms have struck Rhode Island, leaving over 50,000 residents without power. The storm, characterized by wind gusts up to 64 mph, has caused significant disruptions and damage, particularly in Providence, Kent, and Bristol counties. Emergency services are responding to various incidents, including fallen trees and downed power lines. Utility crews are working to restore power and ensure public safety as residents face additional weather alerts for the weekend.
Powerful Thunderstorms Leave Over 50,000 Without Power Across Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island – Powerful thunderstorms swept through Rhode Island, leaving more than 50,000 residents without electricity as of Friday morning. The majority of the outages occurred in Providence, Kent, and Bristol counties, where trees and power lines were downed by strong winds.
By 8 a.m., the community facing the highest number of outages was Warwick, located in Kent County, with over 9,600 customers affected. Warren in Bristol County followed closely with more than 9,300 outages. In Providence County, Cranston reported over 8,600 customers without power, while East Providence saw nearly 6,500 outages.
In addition to widespread power outages, the storm caused notable damage, including a tree falling on several vehicles and trapping a driver and passenger inside until the power lines could be shut off. In Barrington, a fallen tree smashed into a garage, compounding the disruptions caused by the weather.
The National Weather Service reported wind gusts reaching up to 64 mph in the Warwick area, contributing to the damage. As of 9:30 a.m., no serious injuries related to the storm had been reported.
Utility Response and Safety Measures
Rhode Island Energy has initiated a restoration process and encourages residents to check their accounts for updates on power restoration. Residents are also advised to report downed power lines, as they can pose a serious risk to safety. Contact numbers for Rhode Island Energy are 855-743-1102, while residents of the Block Island Utility District can reach out at 401-466-5851.
As a precaution, police in Cranston have issued warnings advising residents to avoid approaching downed power lines, as they can be fatal.
Additional Weather Alerts
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Rhode Island and several states in the Northeast until 10 p.m. Potential hazards associated with these storms include frequent lightning, winds up to 70 mph, and hail as large as 2 inches in diameter. Given the holiday weekend approaching, these storms may disrupt early celebrations, including fireworks shows scheduled for July 3.
Fortunately, forecasts suggest that the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend will be favorable, with dry, sunny conditions. High temperatures are expected to reach around 84 degrees in Providence on Independence Day, with Saturday’s forecast indicating sunshine and a high of 86 degrees. Sunday is projected to remain mostly sunny, with temperatures nearing 90 degrees and conditions becoming increasingly humid.
Impact Beyond Rhode Island
The impacts of the storms were not confined to Rhode Island. Nearby Fall River reported downed trees and power lines, with some roads experiencing flooding, and bricks falling from a building. In Acushnet, branches and brush were reported littering roadways, indicating widespread effects from the severe weather.
Utility crews and tree removal companies are actively responding across the affected areas to restore power and clear roadways in an effort to minimize disruptions and ensure safety for all residents.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Journal
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- WPRI
- Google Search: thunderstorm damage
- GoLocalProv
- Google Scholar: thunderstorm effects
- NBC Boston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- WCVB
- Google News: severe thunderstorm watch
