Sunday, October 28, 2012
Last year, Irene's winds created breathtaking waves, took down trees and the island's power. After the winds subsided, hurricane parties celebrated her departure at local bars.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Olga Enger
-
Sunday, October 28, 2012
As New England closely watches Hurricane Sandy slow journey to the United States, it brings us back to last year's Hurricane Irene. Irene pushed through the island on August 28 of last year, and although it was not as strong as initially feared, the strong winds took down trees and power across Aquidneck Island. After Irene passed, many congregated at local bars for hurricane parties — a Rhode Island pasttime that has ridden out many storms over the years. Look through the photos and tell us, what are Irene memories have stood out? Was it the anticipation before the storm? Or was it losing power and sitting around the candles? Or was it the storm itself, watching the sea crash over Ocean Drive?
Friday, December 2, 2011
A National Grid leader says the company will be more active in trimming trees around electrical wires, if towns give them permission.
After a litany of speakers criticized National Grid's preparation for Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween weekend storm Thursday night, the president of National Grid Massachusetts said her company would get more aggressive at trimming trees, if towns let them. National Grid Massachusetts President Marcy Reed said to the audience during a public hearing: "Last year new legislation passed, which allows us to present an annual tree-trimming plan to a town or city's tree warden. If the tree warden approves the plan, we can then go into the town and do our work without the need to attend weekly meetings and talk about particular areas of concern." How do you feel? Should National Grid get more aggressive at cutting back trees located near …
Monday, October 17, 2011
State and local officials met with National Grid representatives at Attleboro City Hall to discuss Irene debacle.
National Grid President Marcy Reed told a group of local and state officials that the power company is considering a program, which would provide alerts to town officials via text message during emergencies. Reed met with local and state officials at Attleboro City Hall Friday afternoon during a meeting coordinated and led by Senator Richard Ross (R-Wrentham) to address the company's plan of action in dealing with Tropical Storm Irene, according to a release. Reed told the group of officials including Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas that communications presented the biggest frustration for the company after the storm and that National Grid want to know what kinds of information would be most beneficial to municipalities in what way it …
41.944202
-71.281026
Attleboro City Hall
77 Park St, Attleboro, MA
/articles/state-and-local-officials-meet-in-attleboro-to-discuss-irene-debacle-with-national-grid-reps
501068
/locations/5616511
Friday, October 14, 2011
The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission was in Middletown Thursday night to hear what locals have to say about National Grid’s response to Hurricane Irene and will continue to collect input by phone and online.
The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission on Thursday night stopped off in Middletown to wrap up its series of statewide sessions to collect public comments to National Grid’s response to Hurricane Irene. Former Town Councilor M. Theresa Santos was the lone local resident to address the three-member panel. She voiced several concerns and offered suggestions aimed at improving the grid with improved technology and reducing power outages by fallen trees and limbs. Much of the Hurricane Irene power outages across Rhode Island had been attributed to fallen limbs and trees that brought down wires. "When are we going to start looking into the future to begin installing wires underground?" Santos questioned and referred to many newer …
41.519925
-71.289978
Middletown Town Hall
350 E Main Rd, Middletown, RI
/articles/puc-hearing
229330
/locations/5594992
Saturday, September 17, 2011
40 million clam cakes served. Hurricanes or no hurricanes.
Flo’s Clam Shack has been famous for their clams since 1936. What a history they have had. Flo’s was founded in 1936 on Island Park in Portsmouth, only to be wiped out by the Hurricane of 1938. In 1954, Hurricane Carol destroyed it again. In 1960, Hurricane Donna blew Flo’s over. Then the hurricanes left them alone until 1985, when Gloria visited, and 1991, when Hurricane Bob devastated the area. Still, they don’t give up: Flo’s added a Middletown location in a beach cottage (near the Middletown – Newport line on Rt 214 Valley road). That cottage survived the Hurricane of '38. Flo’s is still there and thriving. The Middletown location is open from early March until New Year’s Day; their Island Park location as well opens in early March …
41.490018
-71.285911
Flo's Clam Shack
4 Wave Ave, Middletown, RI
/articles/bites-nearby-go-with-the-flos-for-endless-summer-treats
228753
/locations/5379991
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The U.S.D.A., Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association and DEM’s Division of Agriculture visited Sweet Berry Farm Wednesday to champion the apple picking industry post-Hurricane Irene.
From growers to the governor, Rhode Island’s biggest agriculture advocates include apples among the state’s core crops. They note that while Hurricane Irene had thinned some early season pickings from some orchards around the state, they want Rhode Islanders to know many apple varieties are still available and ready for picking this season. On Wednesday, some of those advocates from the local, state and federal levels fanned out across Rhode Island to help get the word out. The “First Annual Apple Harvest Month Kick-Off” media campaign made stops at Pippin Orchard in Cranston, Barden’s Family Orchard in North Scituate, Narrow Lane Orchards in North Kingstown, and Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown. The team of representatatives from the Rhode …
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Here's a look at what's happening in and around Middletown today.
The Middletown Town Council meets tonight at 6 p.m. On tonight’s agenda: The proposed new boat ramp for Third Beach, Town Administrator Shawn Brown’s post-Hurricane Irene report, public works projects for the year, license renewals and more. The Newport County Chamber of Commerce will hold a panel discussion on Economic Development and Smart Growth in Historic Urban areas from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport. Yoga in the Park continues at Ballard Park in Newport tonight. The Tai Chi Practice Group meets at 8 a.m. at Atlantic Beach. On this day in 1997, an estimated 2.5 billion people all around the world watched the televised funeral of Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris after chased by paparazzi.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Residents wonder what, if anything, is covered by their insurance.
The impact left by Tropical Storm Irene was felt by residents up and down the Eastern Seaboard who were impacted by Irene's powerful 50-70 mph winds. Residents felt the wrath of Irene, which left more than one million people without power in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and left the two states with damaged homes, empty refrigerators and a mountain of unexpected bills. Downed trees and other wind damage could total about $5 billion in personal claims, according to the Consumer Federation of America. Now, residents want answers on how to regain some of the funds lost from renting hotel rooms, throwing out spoiled food and replacing their homes and boats. Some wanted those answers as early as Sunday morning according to Richard DiGiacomo …
The storm passed a week ago, but the effects linger.
It has been nearly a week since tropical storm Irene passed through the area, but its effects continue to linger — particularly in the local real estate market. Real estate professionals from across Rhode Island explained that they are left dealing with additional complications in an already difficult housing market. Real estate professionals from across Rhode Island explained that they are left dealing with additional complications in an already difficult housing market. Suzanne Blades, a Realtor with Keller Williams of Northern Rhode Island, said the storm put a direct damper on at least one potential sale for her. I have a very interested party in a home I have listed, however a tree has fallen on it and the owner is having difficulty …
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Within the next week, another hurricane may be heading for the U.S. east coast as Hurricane Katia gains strength in the Atlantic.
Middletown Patch asked local residents, "Are you worried about Hurricane Katia?" Patch also asked,"What would you do different than what how you reacted and prepared for Hurricane Irene?"
Grampy
7:51 am on Monday, December 5, 2011
Yes i'm refering to tree trimming...The bottom line is no one wants to pay to have them either trim the trees, or bury the lines.. more ›