Woonsocket Cancelations Begin As National Grid Marshals Crews For Windy Storm

Woonsocket Public Schools have canceled after-school events as a long, windy storm gathers strength over area skies, and National Grid has marshalled crews statewide for anticipated power outages.

Other area cancelations include:

• Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs: No bingo
• Good Shepherd Region. School: No p.m. daycare 
• Gtr. Woonsocket Catholic Rgnl. School:No p.m. daycare 
• Msgr. Gadoury Primary School: No p.m. daycare 
• Discovery House-Woonsocket: Closed today (March 7) 

National Grid reports it has secured more than 230 contractor line crews to assist regular company crews in restoring power, which could be interrupted as a result of the storm.

Power outages were not much of a problem for the city during the February blizzard in comparison to the rest of the state, said Mayor Leo Fontaine, due to the Public Works department's efforts to aggressively prune trees threatening power lines. 

Even so, National Grid has readied about 190 tree crews in Rhode Island to assist in clearing trees that might keep the line crews from accessing downed electrical equipment. Downed wires and damage-assessment personnel also are at the ready.

“Despite the fact that spring is just over two weeks away, National Grid is ready for winter's final throes,” said Kathy Lyford, vice president, New England Operations for National Grid.  

National Grid is asking the public to assist in reporting outages - customers can call 1-800-465-1212 to report a power failure. The utility's media relations team has posted a full release on their storm prepartions on Woonsocket Patch's announcement's page.

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