Pawtuxet River crests; Acela suspended

March - 29 - 2010 Author: Zachary Sanchez Respond

(Updated, 4:40 p.m.)

PROVIDENCE – The Pawtuxet River crested this morning but will continue to flood for several days, forecasters said Wednesday afternoon as officials assessed the damage and worked to provide relief to businesses and residents.

A flood emergency was still in effect along the Pawtuxet in Cranston at 1:42 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The river crested this morning at a record level of 20.7 feet, more than double the flood-stage level of 9 feet, and is expected to continue to flood for several days.

The weather service also kept a flood warning in place along the Blackstone River in Woonsocket.

Rhode Island’s state government reopened at 3 p.m. under an “adverse weather conditions” policy for employees with afternoon and evening shifts, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri’s office said. The adverse-weather policy will remain in effect at least through Thursday. The courts will reopen on Thursday. The General Assembly canceled its sessions again on Wednesday.

Downtown escapes flooding

Dan Baudouin, executive director of the Providence Foundation, said downtown escaped the massive flooding experienced by other parts of the state. He said customer traffic has been slow but predicated the impact would be just a blip. “I don’t see any kind of long-term effect,” he said. “I would hope most people would be able to get to work and conduct their business.”

Amtrak stops Acela trains

Amtrak suspended its high-speed Acela Express service between New Haven and Providence on Wednesday and also delayed some regular Northeast Regional trains because of water near the tracks east of Providence. Passengers should call 1-800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for details on specific trains.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said commuter rail service between Boston and Providence was operating normally at midday Wednesday.

EDC creates Flood Fund

The R.I. Economic Development Corporation has created a $500,000 Emergency Flood Fund to assist affected businesses with funding from the EDC’s Small Business Loan Fund. Manufacturers, retailers and some service firms can receive between $10,000 and $100,000.

“The damages to buildings and equipment caused by the historic flooding we are experiencing, along with interruptions in business operations, have been a blow to many small businesses that are already struggling,” Carcieri said in a statement. “It is imperative that we move quickly to provide emergency capital to businesses as they work to get up and running again.”

More information on the Emergency Flood Fund, including terms and conditions, is available at riedc.com or by calling (401) 278-9129.

FEMA registration urged

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has created a special page on its Web site, FEMA.gov, that rounds up information related to the flooding in Rhode Island. FEMA.gov also has a section on how to deal with flooding.

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline advised businesses, homeowners and renters who have suffered storm-related losses to register with FEMA at online or by calling 1-800-621-3362. FEMA can provide emergency assistance, grants and low-interest loans.

“If you have losses or damages that may not be covered by your insurance, it’s critical that you register with FEMA, which acts as an information clearinghouse and a portal to agencies and organizations that may be able to provide assistance to you,” Cicilline said.

R.I. Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch also warned residents “to avoid falling prey to scam artists seeking to profit from the devastation.” Individuals with questions or concerns can call Lynch’s Consumer Protection Unit at (401) 274-4400. (Press “1” for English or “2” for Spanish, then “1” at the second prompt.)

Chamber offers assistance

The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce will hold emergency workshops on Friday to assist businesses with filing flood-related unemployment claims and other storm-related financial resources. Information will be provided by the EDC and the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.

The workshops will take place on Friday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Chamber’s offices at 30 Exchange Terrace, Providence. Business owners can reserve a place by calling the Chamber at (401) 521-5000 or DLT at (401) 462-8724.

IRS extends tax deadline

The Internal Revenue Service said Wednesday afternoon it would give Rhode Islanders until May 11 to file their federal income taxes, which had been due April 11. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., had requested the extension earlier in the day.

“I applaud the IRS and the Obama administration for responding so quickly, and I am pleased they are providing a small measure of relief to Rhode Islanders who are still dealing with this unprecedented flood,” Reed said in a statement.

President Obama issued an emergency declaration for all of Rhode Island late Tuesday night, which will bring federal funds and personnel to assist with relief efforts.

Warwick malls submerged

Both Warwick Mall and the Rhode Island Mall remained under water Wednesday afternoon. Warwick Mall owner Aram Garabedian said water from the river had swelled as high as a few feet in some places in the shopping center, which houses 70 stores.

Garabedian said it was too early to tell the extent of any damage at the mall, which remained closed to the public. “What we’ve got to do is pray for the water to go down and assess the situation,” he said. Last week marked the first time in 40 years that the two-story building had flooded, he added.

But Garabedian said the mall had a flood insurance policy and he expected it to recover, though the closing would likely cause some financial and legal repercussions.

Roads, schools impacted

The R.I. Department of Transportation has posted a list of closed roads at dot.ri.gov/Flooded_streets_March2010.asp, although the site was down at one point Wednesday afternoon. DOT is also using Google Maps to share information on road closings:

View Rhode Island State Road Flooding in a larger map

Warwick and Exeter-West Greenwich announced schools in the two districts will be closed for a second day on Thursday. An up-to-date list of cancellations by schools and other organizations is available at ribroadcasters.com/News_and_Events/Closings_Delays.

National Grid is posting information on storm-related problems at nationalgridus.com/narragansett/stormcenter. Residents have been asked to conserve electricity.

Red Cross opens shelters

The American Red Cross’ Rhode Island chapter said more than 200 people had taken refuge over the past three nights in shelters the charity has opened in Providence, West Warwick and Westerly.

“I haven’t seen anything like this in all the time I’ve been with the Red Cross,” said Nick Logothets, the Red Cross’ director of emergency services. The national Red Cross is sending a team to Rhode Island to provide further assistance, he said.

Jobless benefits available

Workers who have been temporarily laid off because of the storm can apply for unemployment benefits, and some may be eligible to collect immediately if their employers get a special waiver, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said.

For more information, employers – but not workers – can call DLT at (401) 462-8999 or e-mail uiemployerhelp@dlt.ri.gov. Workers can visit dlt.ri.gov or call (401) 243-9100 for more information.

Staff Writer Chris Barrett contributed to this report.

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