Governor Gina M. Raimondo held a press conference this evening at 10:30pm at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency on New London Ave. in Cranston to address the gas outages in Newport and Middletown. The Governor urged impacted customers to seek alternative shelter at a warming center, with friends or family, or at a hotel.
Governor Raimondo has declared a State of Emergency for Newport County after National Grid has shut off gas to 7,000 residential customers. The Governor said it is not safe for people to stay in their homes w/o heat tonight. Call 211 for assistance with shelter, rides, etc.
@GovRaimondo has declared a State of Emergency for Newport County after National Grid has shut off gas to 7,000 residential customers. The Governor said it is not safe for people to stay in their homes w/o heat tonight. Call 211 for assistance with shelter, rides, etc.
— RI State Police (@RIStatePolice) January 22, 2019
National Grid shut off several gas lines in the area due to low pressure that could have become dangerous. Grid reports that it is likely to take a week or more to fully restore service to all impacted customers. The state’s primary focus is ensuring public safety. The Governor and her team will closely monitor Grid’s response.