Blizzard still affecting businesses, travel, driving

A VIEW FROM South Main Street in Providence during the blizzard on Tuesday. In the background, the
A VIEW FROM South Main Street in Providence during the blizzard on Tuesday. In the background, the "Superman Building" can be seen. / PBN PHOTO/ELI SHERMAN

WARWICK – Apponaug Color & Hobby Shop Inc. opened Thursday for the first time in two days since a blizzard smacked Rhode Island with nearly 20 inches of snow.
Still, it was far from business as usual at the Greenwich Avenue hobby shop, which has been around since 1950.
“I’m like a chicken with a head cut off,” owner Charles Moore said. “This is pretty nasty.”
Moore was dealing with a broken snow plow, which he said made cleanup from this storm worse than in the blizzard of 1978.
Moore’s son, Spencer, who also works at the store, said they have been spending a lot of time trying to clear their parking lot. He said they didn’t really plan to open, but then customers started coming in.
By noon, the hobby shop already had three customers, including an elderly man who needed special glue for the wooden airplanes that he builds.
“We’re like the liquor store of hobbies,” Charles Moore said.
Meanwhile, a T.F. Green Airport spokeswoman said everything is back to normal following the storm, which was dubbed Juno.
A total of 19.1 inches of snow was recorded at the airport. But the most snow recorded in one storm at the airport was in the blizzard of 78 with 28.6 inches.
The storm is still affecting roadways. The R.I. Public Transit Authority said that detours remain in place for some routes, and heavy traffic is causing 30 to 45 minute delays on almost all routes.
RIPTA will continue to restore regular travel patterns on the nine routes being detoured as conditions allow, the authority said. Passengers are encouraged to check www.RIPTA.com for updates. Riders also are advised to use extreme caution at bus stops, due to slippery conditions, RIPTA said.
National Grid is conducting aerial inspections of its electricity delivery networks throughout the state today.
“We are constantly inspecting all portions of our delivery systems to make sure they are operating safely and reliably,” Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island, said in a statement. “With a storm like the one that just hit us, there’s a chance damage was done to our equipment or trees along the corridors. The flights are meant to locate damage so we can complete repairs before they cause disruptions in service.”
Most of the transmission corridors are in wooded, isolated areas, making ground inspections difficult. Ground inspections also are being conducted in areas that are more easily accessible, however.
Public safety officials in the selected communities have been notified that the flights have been scheduled.
Weather permitting, afternoon flights on Thursday are planned over West Warwick, Westerly, Charlestown, Hopkinton, South Kingstown, Narragansett, Coventry, Richmond, West Greenwich and North Kingstown.
Morning flights covered Smithfield, Burrillville, Scituate, Cranston, North Providence, Johnston, East Providence, Barrington, Bristol and Warren.

Evan England, spokesman for Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, said the city has a snow hotline (680-8080) for residents to call if they need help with shoveling, or have questions about city services. Those who need help shoveling will be directed to volunteer organizations, he said.

Snow removal is continuing, he said. He said business and property owners need to keep sidewalks clear so that they are safe for the public.

State police also are cautioning motorists about winter driving hazards.
State police said that the extreme cold temperatures can cause black ice to form on roads, creating hazardous conditions. As a result, motorists should reduce their speed, increase the space between vehicles and avoid sudden braking when black ice could be present.

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Motorists also need to clean ice and snow from their vehicles before driving, as airborne ice and snow can damage other vehicles and cause crashes when other motorists swerve or brake suddenly to avoid it.

Drivers with vehicles with significant accumulations of ice and snow can be fined $85, state police said.

And, National Grid is reminding customers to take post-storm safety precautions, such as dressing properly to retain body heat during frigid temperatures, including wearing a hat, scarf, multiple layers of loose clothing and mittens, which are warmer than gloves.

Customers are also reminded to never remove or trim trees that are within 10 feet of power lines, and to not use ladders on snow or ice unless absolutely necessary.

The utility also said that the build-up of ice and snow around or over gas meters and vents for natural gas appliances could create carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas ranges should never be used for heat. Prolonged use can reduce oxygen levels in the home and contribute to unusually excessive levels of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, and those who suspect it is present in a home, should go outside, breathe deeply, and call 911, the utility said.

Call National Grid’s 24-hour gas emergency number at 1-800-490-0045 or 911 if a gas leak is suspected.

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