The Providence Journal/Andrew Dickerman
John Gonzalez, of the Misquamicut Business Association, loads a sign from Sam's Snack Bar into his truck. The sign, which traveled one mile, was on a business owned by Norman DuFresne, that was washed away. "I got a text message," said Gonzalez, "go save Norm's sign." Volunteers from Serve Rhode Island help homeowners clean up property in Misquamicut on Saturday, almost one week after Sandy blew through the Ocean State. View the slideshow.
Five days after Sandy's strong winds and storm surge dealt a blow to Rhode Island, National Grid said it had essentially finished restoring electricity to those who lost power.
Also Saturday, President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for the hardest-hit parts of the state.
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National Grid was reporting 80 outages at 9:20 p.m. Saturday, although its website stated that it had "fully restored" electricity and gas service in Rhode Island, as well as Massachusetts and upstate New York. These numbers could include new outages.
"We are now setting our focus on helping to restore damage and assist the areas of New York City and Long Island that were devastated by superstorm Sandy," it announced.
Spokeswoman Debbi Drew explained, however, that crews in Rhode Island were still restoring the last of the outages.
"We will be assisting in the New York effort, but we will make sure our customers are fully restored here as well," Drew said. "We are still working in Rhode Island and ... we will keep crews so that we can complete the New England restoration, which is essentially finishing up. As you see, we are in the homestretch here."
Mr. Obama granted Rhode Island's request for a federal disaster declaration for Washington, Bristol, and Newport counties. A day earlier, Governor Chafee, with the support of the state's federal congressional delegation, requested the declaration to provide Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance for public infrastructure in the three counties and hazard mitigation statewide.
Preliminary estimates by FEMA inspectors have pegged public road and building damage at $5.5 million in the three counties. FEMA is continuing to conduct damage-assessment surveys.
Governor Chafee may also submit a request for an expanded declaration, which could provide assistance for private property owners as well. Assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repair and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
About 135 volunteers coordinated by Serve Rhode Island spent the day in the Misquamicut section of Westerly, where houses and businesses up to several blocks from the beach were flooded and inundated with sand.
"We are having a great day here," said executive director Bernie Beaudreau. "By the end of the day, we will have helped 532 households, basically with removal of debris, cutting down trees and emptying basements of destroyed things, like appliances."
Beaudreau said efforts will continue on Sunday and again next weekend, with the possibility of some volunteering during the week.
Those seeking assistance may dial 211, the United Way's emergency assistance line. To donate to Serve Rhode Island or to become a volunteer, go to serverhodeisland.org.