Before the Storm
It is important to be prepared for any storm. Constituents can use the following guidelines:
- Follow the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) preparedness guidelines
- Download the Code Red Application
- Download the PVD311 App for iTunes or Google Play
- Stay up to date on storm information by watching the news and by following Mayor Smiley, your local Council Person, and PEMA on social media
During the Storm
- Constituents should stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel
- All emergencies should be reported by calling 9-1-1
- All dangerous issues that do not pose an immediate emergency should be reported to the Providence Police non-emergency line (401-272-1111)
- The PVD311 application is available 24/7 but constituents should make sure that urgent matters are reported using the above-mentioned resources.
- To meet high levels of constituent service needs, the PVD311 phone line may be activated outside of regular business hours. If the phones are opened for extended time periods you will be notified via the news, social media, and a push notification from the app.
After the Storm
All city service-related requests should be reported via PVD311 by using the application, phone line, website (PVD311.com), or by coming into City Hall room 101. These requests include:
- Downed city trees and branches
- Downed or damaged city signage and other property
- Traffic signals and streetlights that are damaged or not working
- Waste Management issues that resulted from the storm
- General storm-related questions, concerns, or referrals
- If the object in question is privately owned (eg. a tree on private property), it is the responsibility of the property owner to hire a professional (eg. an arborist) to take care of the issue. However, if the issue is impacting a public space (road, sidewalk, etc.) it should still be reported via 311.
National Grid
Downed Power Lines
- Downed lines should be reported to National Grid by following the information in this link and by calling 1-800-465-1212.
- If the issue also involves a city service component (for example, a city tree has fallen and downed power lines), the constituent should report the tree component of the issue by dialing 3-1-1.
- This double reporting helps guarantee storm recovery efficiency and the safety of all crews involved
Power Outages
- All power outages should be reported to National Grid by dialing 401-465-1212 or by visiting this link.
- If there is an extended period of power outages please stay up to date with 311 and the city website for information about warming centers
- To check the status of an outage or confirm if it has already been reported, a constituent can view the power outage map. The map is updated every 15 minutes and includes location-based information about the status of an outage including crew assignments and recovery estimates.
Storm Cleanup
- Unless otherwise indicated, regular trash and recycling pickup will be provided on your normal day. You can defer questions to 3-1-1 or by calling the Waste Management Customer Service Line at 1-800-972-4545.
- Unless otherwise indicated, storm debris (objects) like broken pieces of property must be disposed of (if it fits) in your normal trash/recycling bins. If the item is larger than a normal bin can handle, a bulky item pickup should be scheduled. Information on bulky items can be answered by calling 311 or by visiting this link.
- Storm debris from private property (brush, tree branches, etc.) that is one inch in diameter or less must be bundled together and be cut down to less than 4 feet in length for it to be disposed of in a yard waste bin. Yard debris must be placed in paper bags or in open barrels clearly labeled YARD DEBRIS. You can pick up a yard debris sticker at DPW (700 Allens Ave.) or in the Mayor’s Center for City Services (City Hall Room 101). Larger yard debris and private trees must be disposed of by the property owner or a private company they hire.
- Yard waste pickup occurs from April through the second Friday in December
