Over 80% of Charlestown Was Without Power

3 Responses to Over 80% of Charlestown Was Without Power

1. CCA e-mailer says:

   August 31, 2011 at 8:56 am

   Several observations on our recent experiences:

   • The power a short distance south of Rt. 1A from Cumberland Farms east to the South Kingstown line was out from about 8:30 AM Sunday until 8:00 PM Tuesday whereas the power along Rt. 1A was restored at 4:00 AM Monday. We saw virtually no damage to electrical lines in this area. Was the longer outage in this area due to damage elsewhere or simply a triage-type decision by National Grid ? I don’t object to such decisions and would prefer to have the commercial properties take precedence but I do think that someone in Town Govt. should be aware of how National Grid is allocating resources within the Town.
   • Verizon land-line service in the above area went out around 10:00 PM Sunday and was restored at the same moment as power (8:00 PM Tuesday). I’m guessing that the Verizon installation at the corner of Matunuck Schoolhouse Road and Narrow Lane has some sort of battery that conked out after 12 hours or so and the system went dead until the power was restored. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY CRITICAL SERVICE DURING AN EXTENDED OUTAGE. TOWN GOVT. SHOULD LOOK INTO IT AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PHONE SERVICE WHENEVER POSSIBLE OR AT LEAST LET US KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
   • We have several types of battery operated radios. Several years ago – before digital broadcasts – they picked up all of the local TV stations. Now, except for some updates on 920 AM, there doesn’t seem to be any way to get regional information. If there currently is some way for the Town to communicate critical information when phones and power are out I am unaware of it. I think there should be a local emergency radio station (maybe local towns together or just Charlestown) to let everyone know who has ice available, where we can get potable water, which roads are closed, etc. I think this would be very inexpensive and highly reliable.

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2. Steering Committee says:

   August 31, 2011 at 9:06 am

   This message just got posted at the Town’s website
   Town Hall will be open Wednesday with all services available.

   Water is still available at Town Hall and the Police Station from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

   Showers are available at the Chariho High School, on Switch Road in Richmond, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Please bring your own towel.

   Temporary passes will be available, at the Town Hall, for yard waste disposal at the Charlestown Residential Collection Center, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, through Saturday September 3rd.

   Red Cross will be at the Charlestown Police Station, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with bottled water, heated meals and snacks.

   Please contact the Charlestown Police Department information line 213-6920 if you have any storm related questions. Charlestown residents will continue to be notified by the emergency notification system known as ONE CALL NOW (reverse 911). Residents can still register on the ONE CALL NOW system on this webpage

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3. CCA e-mailer says:

   August 31, 2011 at 10:31 am

   Keep up the grand job!

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