Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge Road Repairs Underway

The road that leads up to the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge has been closed since Hurricane Sandy. Work has began to open the road.

Officials announced work to open the road that leads up the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge has begun.  The road has been closed since concrete slabs washed up during Hurricane Sandy last October. Although officials previously announced the refuge would be open by the end of January 2013, winter weather delayed the project. There are no official estimates of when the refuge will be open, but a Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) official said the project to clear the road should take approximately a month. “We are grateful to our state and federal partners for helping us restore access to this vital natural resource that was virtually cut off after Hurricane Sandy,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “When all is said …

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Sachuest Wildlife Refuge Opening Delayed

Bad weather has delayed the re-opening of the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

In December, officials announced they hoped to re-open Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge by the end of January 2013, however recent winter storms has delayed the work.  A new date has not been released.  The refuge was closed due to unsafe and hazardous conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy. The high surf created unstable banks and washed up concrete slabs on Sachuest Point Road, which left it impassable.  “Unfortunately we will be unable to reopen the refuge to the public until the road is repaired because our current 4-wheel drive access roads are not adequate for emergency response if necessary,” said Sarah Lang, Volunteer Coordinator with the refuge.  Lang added the contract to repair the road has been awarded by the The Rhode …

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Cranston-Calvert Student Collects for Sandy Victims

Cranston-Calvert fourth-grader Kailey Allen started a clothing drive for victims of Superstorm Sandy.

The following has been provided by Cranston-Calvert Elementary School: Cranston-Calvert Elementary School fourth-grader and Feinstein Jr. Scholar Kailey Allen has set a very high bar as far as citizenship is concerned. Kailey and her family are with the Navy and moved to Newport from California in early October. She was not here even a month before hurricane Sandy hit the northeast, but never the less she very moved by what she saw on the news and jumped into action. Kailey asked her teacher, Stephanie DeAscentis, if she could start a clothing and coat drive to help the victims of hurricane Sandy in New York. She was directed to Rebekah Rosen-Gomez, Family Service Coordinator at Cranston Calvert School, who instructed her to do some …

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Nor'easter Surfing at Second Beach

Photographer Cate Brown out in the wet and wild Nor'easter weather to catch images of the surfers over at Second Beach in early November.

12-12-12 Concert to Benefit Hurricane Sandy Victims

Some of the biggest names in music will play at a benefit concert on Wednesday. All proceeds will go to Hurricane Sandy victims, via the Robin Hood Foundation.

Huge names in music are lending their talents to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts at the “12-12-12” concert this Wednesday, Dec. 12. Every penny sold from ticket sales will go directly to Sandy victims through the Robin Hood Relief Fund, which provides material, money and aid to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hardest hit by the storm, including over 200 Patch towns in New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island. The all-star lineup includes Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The Who and Paul McCartney, with other artists to be announced. According to the 12-12-12 concert’s website, “…

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Ocean Drive Closed Temporarily Due to Hurricane Damage Repairs

A portion of the road will be closed during while repairs are made to the seawall, which was damaged in Hurricane Sandy.

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) have announced that the next repair project for road damage caused by Hurricane Sandy is now underway on Ocean Drive in the City of Newport.  As part of the repair project, a portion of the road is anticipated to be closed for approximately three weeks for seawall reconstruction, effective today. “We have committed to the citizens of this State to do all we can to quickly repair our roadway infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sandy,” said Governor Lincoln D. Chafee.  “With RIDOT’s help and that of the State’s skilled contractors, we are able to do that sooner than later – and put Rhode Islanders to work. I remain grateful for the funding made available by …

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Newport County Residents Can Register For Federal Assistance for Hurricane Damage

How to register with FEMA to eligibility for assistance.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) announces that Rhode Islanders who live in Newport or Washington Counties and sustained damages or losses from Hurricane Sandy can now register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine eligibility for assistance. “Many residents of Newport and Washington Counties suffered significant damage in Hurricane Sandy,” said Governor Lincoln Chafee. “Fortunately, the President has authorized federal assistance to help those most seriously affected by the storm. I urge all residents of these areas in need of assistance to contact FEMA or visit one of the Disaster Recovery Centers to learn more about individual eligibility.” There are three ways to register with FEMA: Anyone…

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PHOTOS: Easton's Beach Replanted After Sandy Damage

Volunteers and staff planted 1,000 sprigs of Beach Grass yesterday.

Save the Bay volunteers and Easton's Beach staff planted 1,000 sprigs of Beach Grass on Wednesday morning. The planting was originally scheduled for Nov. 5, however the destruction left by Hurricane Sandy left the project to be rescheduled until Wednesday. Instead of allowing the  already purchased beach grass sprigs to die or deteriorate, it was decided the beach grass will be planted in areas where Sandy wiped out Bayberry trees and Rosa Rugosa Bushes in order to hold more beach sand on the property. Last Spring, 1,000 sprigs of grass were planted and held up very well to the water surge produced by Hurricane Sandy. The planting will be concentrated on the areas of the courtyard outside the Rotunda building and in front of the bathhouses…

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Newport Historical Society Wants Your Sandy Photos

The NHS is requesting residents to submit their photos of before, during, and after Superstorm Sandy.

Did you take any photos or videos of the affects of Superstorm Sandy on Newport County? The Newport Historical Society wants them! The Newport Historical Society posted on its Facebook page:  The Newport Historical Society is looking to collect media of Hurricane Sandy that the community has captured in Newport County. In this era of prevalent, but often unpreserved, digital media we’d like to be certain to document the “Frankenstorm.” We are specifically looking for photographs and videos of any hurricane preparations, the storm itself, and its aftermath, including boarding up windows, high wind and surf, fallen trees, damage and debris. As our collection of citizen’s snapshots of past hurricanes is now used to tell the stories of these …

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Local Residents Can Drop Off Items for Sandy Victims

A group of Aquidneck Island residents have organized “SOS STATEN ISLAND".