News Summary
On Wednesday morning, Rhode Island faced significant power outages impacting over 9,000 customers primarily in Kent and Providence Counties. Rhode Island Energy reported approximately 5,705 customers without power due to issues at a substation. Although power was restored by 8:20 a.m., concerns over communication during outages were raised. Governor McKee criticized the company’s response and called for a review of their systems. Efforts to restore power involved numerous local and out-of-state crews, with progress made to return service to most customers by the end of July 6.
Providence, Rhode Island — Thousands of customers in Rhode Island experienced temporary power outages on Wednesday morning, with significant impacts felt particularly in Kent County and Providence County. By 8:00 a.m., approximately 5,705 customers were reported without power, primarily due to issues at one of Rhode Island Energy’s substations.
The initial outage affected nearly 9,000 customers in the Cranston area, causing widespread disruption just as the day began. Rhode Island Energy announced that power was fully restored around 8:20 a.m., but not before the situation prompted criticism about the company’s communication effectiveness during the event.
Governor Dan McKee expressed dissatisfaction with Rhode Island Energy’s handling of communications during a previous storm on July 3, which was noted for its severity. Following the storm, approximately 65,000 customers were without power at peak times, accounting for about 10% of Rhode Island Energy’s customer base. The hardest-hit areas included Riverside in East Providence, Barrington, Cranston, and Warwick.
In addressing the situation, executives from Rhode Island Energy were investigating inaccuracies with the outage map, a critical tool for consumers and service teams. The president of the company, Greg Cornett, indicated that there were routing issues affecting customer calls, which ultimately influenced the outage management system. For the first 48 hours following the storms, the outage map did not function properly; it was not until 9:30 p.m. on July 5 that the system operated as intended.
As restoration efforts continued, Rhode Island Energy had already deployed local crews and brought in additional personnel from neighboring states. A total of 40 line crews, 10 wires-down crews, and 30 tree crews were mobilized locally, complemented by more than 40 external tree crews and over 110 out-of-state line crews. These efforts were aided by enhanced infrastructure that had been implemented over time, which helped minimize the overall impacts of the storm.
Despite the challenges, progress was made quickly. By the afternoon of July 5, 95% of customers had their power restored. However, those remaining without service by the evening of July 6 encountered issues primarily related to street-side infrastructure. Customers still lacking power by July 7 faced additional complications tied to their homes and personal equipment.
In reaction to the storm’s unexpected severity, Rhode Island Energy did not initially anticipate the level of disruption it would cause. Cornett highlighted that future improvements are in the pipeline, particularly through the ongoing rollout of smart meters, which are expected to improve communication regarding outages.
Moreover, the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers plans to delve deeper into the communication issues experienced during this power outage. State officials are keen on preventing similar occurrences in future weather-related emergencies, particularly in light of Governor McKee’s call for a thorough review of communication systems at Rhode Island Energy prior to the next storm.
As of Friday, Rhode Island Energy estimated about 30,000 customers were still without power, despite the outage map reflecting 12,546 outages by 10 p.m. the same evening. Continuous monitoring and improvement of both service and communication are being prioritized as the state prepares for any further storm threats in the coming months.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Winter Storm Watch Issued for Southern New England
Heat Advisory and Flood Watch Issued for Rhode Island
Heat Advisory and Flood Watch Issued for Northern Rhode Island
East Providence Cancels Fireworks Display Due to Weather
Severe Storm Causes Widespread Damage in Rhode Island
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Rhode Island
Providence City Council Launches ‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign
Powerful Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Power Outage in Rhode Island
AVTECH Software Recognized as a Top Workplace for 2023
Elevator Safety Concerns Rise in Providence
Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: RI Energy’s Power Outage Map Failure
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- MSN: Gov McKee Criticizes Rhode Island Energy
- Google Search: Rhode Island Energy power outage
- Turn to 10: RI Energy Estimates Full Restoration by Sunday
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Providence, Rhode Island
- ABC 6: McKee Calls RI Energy’s Response Unacceptable
- Google News: Rhode Island Energy communications issues
- GoLocalProv: Question for RI Energy President
- Patch: 50k Without Power as Storm Hits RI
- WPRI: RI Energy’s Outage Map Restored
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
