Monday, January 26, 2015

Storm update

State of emergency, travel ban declared statewide
By Will Collette
4 PM radar map from the National Weather Service

The snow started early…not a good sign. With very large amounts of snow on the way tonight and tomorrow, be prepared. See the tips on such things as snow shoveling and contact information in my earlier article (click here).

Gov. Gina Raimondo is asking motorists to get off the road by 8 PM, if not earlier. A formal travel ban kicks in at midnight and will stay in effect indefinitely. You can be busted for a misdemeanor if you violate the ban.

National Grid notes no power outrages in Charlestown but that will likely change. Click here for their outage map which probably won't do you much good if you lose your power (and don't have a back-up generator). Their phone number to report outages is 1-800-465-1212

The Charlestown Town Council met earlier – the CCA Party said at 1 PM; the Clerkbase posting said 3 PM (details, details). Town Hall just sent out this e-mail message:


CHARLESTOWN TOWN COUNCIL DECLARES "STATE-OF-EMERGENCY"

At 3:00 PM today a state-of-emergency was declared by the Charlestown Town Council.  This declaration is in tandem with the State of Rhode Island Emergency Services.  The Governor has requested that everyone stay off the roads after 8:00 PM tonight and a complete travel ban will be in effect as of 12:00 midnight.

All Charlestown community services will be closed on tomorrow, Tuesday January 27, except for public safety.  

Chariho Middle School will be opened as an emergency shelter at 2:00 PM tomorrow (Tuesday).  The town will use its Code Red notification system for any further updates.

If you would like to sign up for our emergency notification system, known as Code Red, please access the Towns website at www.towncharlestownri.org.  Look for the Code Red icon on the bottom left side of the screen and follow the data prompts to enter your personal information.

As I mentioned in my earlier article, I really don’t know what the Town’s State of Emergency means, but it may make it easier later for the town to get reimbursement if the President makes disaster relief funding available. I’m sure the President will do that, though the Republican-controlled majority in Congress may not cooperate.

Obviously, there is a townwide ban on on-road parking and there will be no town services other than emergency help from our Emergency Management, Fire and Police Departments.

This storm could cause some damage to your property, so be prepared to document it, in case you need to either get reimbursed or file an insurance claim. Photograph or video your damage. 

Last year, I received a $50 reimbursement from RIDOT for smashing my mailbox on Route One (photo, right). 

If you live on a town road and you suffer damage from the town DPW plows, I guess reimbursement will depend on whether you are a CCA Party donor or not since Charlestown is very much a “pay to play” town.

Finally, somebody is already cashing in on Juno merchandise:



Be careful out there and don’t do anything stupid. And be neighborly; lots of folks in Charlestown are going to need some help.