Rhode Island Energy mobilizes crews and resources ahead of multi-day wind and rain storm expected this weekend
Rhode Island Energy announced Wednesday it has mobilized additional crews and resources ahead of a storm forecast to sweep across Rhode Island from Friday through Sunday, September 25–27. The company expects hazardous wind gusts and steady rainfall capable of bringing down trees and power lines throughout the weekend.
“We have been tracking this storm for several days and have secured additional crews and personnel who stand ready to respond to any impacts the weather may bring,” said Joe Curley, Vice President of Electric Operations at RIE.
Rhode Island Energy activates emergency response ahead of weekend storm
Rhode Island Energy put out its preparedness announcement Wednesday, September 23, ahead of a storm system expected to move through the state Friday through Sunday. The early mobilization says a lot about how seriously the utility is taking the forecast — crews and support personnel are already in position, ready to move the moment conditions call for it.
Rhode Island Energy is the state’s primary energy utility, delivering electricity and natural gas to more than 770,000 customers across Rhode Island.
Curley added that if outages hit, crews and support teams will work around the clock to restore service “as quickly and safely as conditions allow.” That continuous operation is a core part of RIE’s emergency response playbook. Calmer weather was expected by Monday, giving crews a potential window to wrap up any remaining restoration work.
Storm forecast: High winds and rainfall raise outage and flooding concerns
The main concerns heading into the weekend are hazardous wind gusts and steady rainfall that could linger through Sunday evening — a tough combination for both infrastructure and residents.
Elevated wind gusts are especially dangerous for trees and overhead power lines. When branches — or whole trees — come down, they can pull lines with them and knock out power to entire neighborhoods at once. Rainfall compounds the problem by raising flooding risk in low-lying areas across the state. Rough conditions are expected to hold through Sunday evening, meaning things may not settle down until the start of the following work week.
Resources deployed: Line workers, tree crews, and substation personnel
RIE has put a broad mix of specialized workers in the field to handle the range of problems a storm like this can throw at them. That includes overhead and underground line workers equipped for both distribution and transmission restoration — two distinct systems requiring different skill sets and gear.
Tree-trimming crews, wires-down personnel, and substation workers have also been mobilized. Each role targets a specific type of storm damage: tree crews clear debris from lines, wires-down teams manage hazardous fallen lines, and substation workers handle infrastructure-level issues that can affect large numbers of customers at once.
RIE is coordinating with local officials and first responders ahead of the storm and has already been in contact with life support customers who depend on electricity for medical equipment. Resource levels will be reassessed as forecasts evolve, so the deployment could scale up if conditions worsen.
One key safety note: crews won’t start restoration work until conditions are safe. Operating an elevated bucket truck during high wind gusts isn’t considered safe — so some repairs may have to wait until gusts die down.
Safety guidelines issued for customers during the storm
RIE is urging customers to follow basic safety rules if the storm causes damage nearby. The most critical: don’t touch a downed power line. Treat every fallen wire as live, stay at least 30 feet away — roughly two full utility pole spans — and don’t try to move debris near downed lines or touch anyone in contact with one, since electricity can pass right through to you.
Water adds another layer of risk. If a downed line is sitting in a puddle or flooded area, stay out of that water entirely.
Reporting outages is straightforward. Visit RIEnergy.com/outage, call the RIE Contact Center at 1-855-743-1101, or text OUTAGE to 743674. Status updates are also available by text and through the RIE Outage Map online. Customers who rely on electric-powered medical equipment — like a respirator — are strongly encouraged to register as a life support customer by calling that same number so RIE can prioritize communication during restoration.
For gas emergencies, get out immediately, don’t touch light switches or phones inside, and call the 24-hour gas emergency line at 1-800-640-1595 once you’re safely outside. Don’t go back in until RIE says it’s clear.
Background: Rhode Island Energy serves over 770,000 customers statewide
Rhode Island Energy is the state’s primary energy utility, delivering electricity and natural gas to more than 770,000 customers across Rhode Island. The company employs over 1,300 people and operates as part of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), a larger energy holding company focused on building smarter, more resilient power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions.
Storm response is a routine but significant part of what a utility this size manages. When a major weather event threatens the region, the scale of preparation — crews, coordination, communications — reflects the scope of responsibility RIE carries for the state’s residents and businesses. As the weekend approaches, the basics are straightforward: report outages promptly, stay away from downed lines, follow gas safety protocols, and keep an eye on the RIE Outage Map for real-time updates.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
