Storm causes power outages and school closures

More than 140,000 Rhode Island households and businesses lost power after stormy weather Sunday night, according to numbers from National Grid. In Providence County more than 66,000 residents and businesses are currently without power, according to ABC6 News. Recovery crews began to clean up debris and fallen trees early Monday morning, but National Grid’s website showed that some places were not expected to get power back until November 1. National Grid Spokesman Ted Cresse told Rhode Island Public Radio that recovery will be a “multi-day event.” Numerous downed tree limbs and fallen branches on power lines has slowed down recovery, and it could be some days before residents and businesses can use power. Schools across Rhode Island were closed today, and some will remain closed tomorrow because of the power outages.