Rhode Island Energy watching severe storm potential
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Energy said that it has already prepared hundreds of additional personnel to address potential electrical system damage during Sunday’s extreme weather.
The company said it has 1,900 personnel prepared to respond to the storm, which it said is expected to have wind gusts up to 60 mph and two to three inches of rain.
The extra personnel include overhead line, forestry, contractors, underground, damage assessment, wires-down, transmission, substation, municipal liaisons and call center staff, all of which will be staged across the state by Sunday evening.
“If some of these gusts reach their full forecast potential, we could see some significant outages across the state,” RIE President Dave Bonenberger. “Our teams and additonal line and forestry workers will be working around the clock to get customers’ power back as safely and efficently possible.”
RIE said customers should report and track outages at RIEnergy.com or by calling 855-743-1102.
The company also released safety guidelines for the public, which includes staying away from downed powerlines, preparing bottled water and canned food, operating generators outdoors, and reporting natural gas leaks to 911 or to RIE’s 24-hour gas emergency number at 1-800-640-1595.
