Rhode Island Governor requests help from residents due to flooding

Governor Carcieri Requests Non-Essential

Employees Remain Home and Off Roads

Governor Donald L. Carcieri, operating under the current declaration of emergency, is requesting that all non-essential state employees stay home. State office will be closed for Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The Governor further requests all businesses, municipalities, and school districts seriously consider the same policy.

Due to the historic flooding of the state’s rivers and streams, 95 South at Exit 14 and 95 North at Exit 11 are closed. Interstate 295 North remains open, but with limited travel. RIDOT, RI State Police, RING and local law enforcement have been working through the night to hold off the water. Throughout the state, dozens of local roads are flooded and impassable.

Due to the closing of Interstate 95, typical volume of traffic in and out of the City of Providence and other urban areas will be forced to secondary roads, many of which are also flooded. The potential for gridlock is significant, and it is critical to safety of the public and first responders that the roadways remain clear and travel is restricted until the water has receded.

The Governor, RI National Guard, RI-EMA and other critical state agencies will hold a press briefing at the Schofield Armory at 7:30 a.m. This is in addition to the media conference call already scheduled.

Source – Media Advisory, State of Rhode Island