Politics & Government

Blizzard Blog: WMS to Open as a Shelter

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Feb. 9, 4 p.m.  The driving ban has been lifted statewide.

Feb. 9, 2:15 p.m.  Wickford Middle School will open as a warming shelter starting at 3 p.m. for those without power.

Feb. 9, 1:45 p.m.  Travel is still mostly restricted across the state. Emergency personnel and those heading to shelters or elsewhere for refuge are allowed to travel, otherwise a statewide driving ban is still in effect.

Find out what's happening in North Kingstownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here's a list of warming shelters in RI:

  • Jamestown: Melrose Elementary School
  • Middletown: Gaudet Middle School
  • Tiverton: Tiverton Middle School
  • Wakefield: South Kingstown High School
  • Warwick: Warwick Vets High School
  • Westerly: Westerly Senior Center

Learn more about the shelters here.

Find out what's happening in North Kingstownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Feb. 9, 1 p.m. Tomorrow's Cupcake Wars at NKHS have been postponed until Monday evening.

Feb. 9, 10:15 a.m.  About 8,500 of North Kingstown's 13,000 National Grid customers are without power right now. Statewide, the number is about 190,000 customers who are powerless.

There are no estimates on when power will be restored and David Graves (spokersperson for National Grid) said this could be a "multi-day event." Some customers may not have power for days.

According to the Providence Journal, the Grid has crews from Canada, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and more helping the area to get back online.

Feb. 8, 7:35 p.m.  Power outages are starting to hit. According to National Grid, NK has about 190 customers without power. Learn more here.

Feb. 8, 12:45 p.m.  Here are some of the latest closings:

  • North Kingstown Animal Hospital will be closed for the rest of Friday.
  • Biomes will be closed Friday and Saturday.
  • Dave's Marketplace is closing at 1 p.m. and will not reopen until Sunday.
  • North Kingstown Free Library is closed for the rest of Friday and Saturday. The library will reopen on Monday at 9 a.m.

Feb. 8, 12:15 p.m.  Governor Lincoln Chafee has issued a State of Emergency, effectively immediately. Gov. Chafee and other state officials are urging motorists to stay off the roads this afternoon and into the night during the height of the storm. Snow accumulation projections have risen to 24 to 30 inches for the North Kingstown area. Snowfall is expected to be between two to three inches per hour during the worst of the storm.

Feb. 7, 3:25 p.m.  A parking ban is in effect starting at noon tomorrow (Friday).

Feb. 7, 3:25 p.m.  Beechwood Senior Center will also be closed tomorrow. The North Kingstown Free Library will open and play it by ear, closing Saturday and/or later on Friday.

Feb. 7, 3:15 p.m.  School Superintendent Phil Auger announced Thursday afternoon that North Kingstown public schools will be closed Friday in advance of the storm. All before and after school activities have also been cancelled.

Feb. 7, 12:40 p.m.  The West Bay Family YMCA is closing tomorrow (Friday) at 2 p.m. and Saturday. They hope to reopen Sunday at 7 a.m. Post your closing/cancellation/other announcements by clicking here.

Feb. 7, 10:15 a.m.   The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Rhode Island. Snow accumulations are now expected anywhere between 18-24 inches. During the height of the storm, driving may be "nearly impossible."

Feb. 7, 10 a.m.   I've created this hub article specifically for Winter Storm Nemo and how it is affecting North Kingstown. Aside from the usual government and town agency posts that will be presented to you, this is where you can find school and business closings as well as downed trees and power lines, power outages and other dangerous situations.

Remember, I can't be everywhere, so please comment below with any of the above information that you are aware of so that I can check up on it.

Also, feel free to email me tips at samantha.turner@patch.com or text them to me at 401.369.1676. And don't forget about the North Kingstown Patch Facebook page!

Stay safe, NK!


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