Macy's Warwick Mall, R.I.
April Fools Day 2010 may be tomorrow, but soggy Rhode Islanders find the disastrous flood no laughing matter. Massive flooding has brought the state to its knees, and now the threat of sewerage spilling over from the Warwick Sewerage Plant into the Pawtuxet River is a terrible April Fools joke. Residents and businesses have been told not to flush their toilets, wash dishes, take showers or use any unnecessary water until the flooding subsides. The National Grid has asked customers to conserve their electricity or risk losing it to rolling blackouts. "There will be outages through the weekend into the start of next week," said National Grid spokesman David Graves.
UPDATE! E. coli Tests Positive: Video Rhode Island Flood Water Contaminated with Bacteria
T.F. Green Airport is Business as Usual
T.F. Green Airport is operating normally, although a few arrivals have been delayed or canceled. But, you can't get there from here. The airport connector that directs traffic from Route I-95 to Post Road is closed due to flooding. It's been a challenge to get to T.F. Green because the only other way into the airport is by Post Road which is backed up with bumper-to-bumper traffic being forced to detour around the closed section of I-95. Airport spokeswoman Patricia A. Goldstein said the best way into the airport now is by taking Route 95 south to Route 37 east to Post Road (Route 1) south.
Closings Around Rhode Island
Streets, highways and intersections throughout Rhode Island are closed or down to one barely passable lane. Check with the R.I. Department of Transportation for more detailed closings. Keep in mind, roads could close at any time. I-295 North bound in Warwick - Exits 1 & 2 are closed but the highway is open. Exit 2 South bound is closed and the highway is passable. The Elmwood Avenue Bridge in Cranston is closed.
The Warwick Mall is still under water with no guess as to when it will reopen. Rhode Island state offices and courts were closed today. Governor Carcieri requested that all nonessential employees stay home. In addition, Warburton and Thayer ice arenas, the McDermott Pool, and Warwick Public Library on Sandy Lane in Warwick are closed until further notice.
Stay Home! Turn Around, Don't Drown!
Governor Don Carcieri made a plea on local television for everyone to just stay home today. He said it's terrible out there, and with Route I-95 flooded in spots, the traffic is backed up for miles. Not only that, but road conditions are not stable. The National Weather Service issued a warning, "Please follow the advice of local officials... and evacuate if asked to do so. Beware of scouring of roadways due to the heavy rains from the excessive runoff and stream flooding. Even if the waters have receded... there could still be danger. Obey Detour signs and Road closures. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive into areas where water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of flowing water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the Road. When encountering flooded roads make the smart choice... turn around... don't drown."
Related Rhode Island Flood Articles, Videos and Photo Slideshows
R.I. Flood Video Update: E-coli Contaminated Water Possible
Pictures: Warwick Mall R.I. Flood Cleanup Continues, Stores May Reopen Soon
R.I. Flood Sewer Update: Residents Finally Flush their Toilets and Take Showers Again
R.I. Flooding: Pictures Rt. I-95 Open for North and Southbound Traffic
Flood Updates: Rhode Island Flooding is Bad April Fools Day Prank
Weather Update: Rhode Island Flooding Will Get Worse Before it Gets Better
Rhode Island Flooding March 2010: School Closings, Delays, Road Closures and Pictures
Current Pictures of Flooding in RI: Warwick Mall, Macy's, NYLO Under Water, Rain Storm Totals
Flooding in RI Videos: Record Rainfall Totals in Rhode Island State of Emergency Declared
Videos, Slideshow Photos: Rhode Island Floods: Obama Declares R.I. a Disaster, FEMA Help Expected
Sources: projo.com; wunderground.com; dot.ri.gov; abc6.com
Photo: Sandbags block the entrance to the Macy's store attached to the Warwick Mall in Warwick, R.I., as floodwater from the Pawtuxet River rises, Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The Pawtuxet River is predicted to hit a record stage of 20.9 feet, 11 feet above floor stage. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Members of the Exeter, R.I., fire department stand watch over a washed out section of Rhode Island State Route 102 in Exeter, on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Joe Giblin)
Comments
Yeah....i think all of us in this state wishes it was a joke.
Holly ....!! I feel with all the citicents in RI. sending all my regards to RI3. and their wonderfull teacher.
Good bless you and good luck
damworld.dk
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