By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News

"Right now we have about 4,500 customers out," David Graves, spokesman for National Grid told WPRO's Matt Allen at roughly 6:40 p.m. Friday.

But National Grid's website reported about 9,700 power outages at around the same time, a number that had quickly ballooned from 1,200 at about 6 p.m.

Power Outage Timeline from National Grid's Power Outage Map:

6:15 p.m. – 1,281 customers without power

6:45 p.m. – 6,759 cutomers without power

7:00 p.m. – 11,003 customers without power

7:13 p.m. – 17,967 customers witout power

7:23 p.m. – 20,435 customers without power

7:38 – 29,600 customers without power

7:54 p.m. – 34,406 customers without power

8:05 p.m. – 41,101 customers without power

8:24 p.m. – 45,270 customers without power

8:55 p.m. – 61,396 customers without power

9:30 p.m. – 78,427 customers without power

9:57 p.m. – 122,375 customers without power

10:11 p.m. – 131,990 customers without power

10:27 p.m. – 139,391 customers without power 

11:47 p.m. – 171,033 customers without power

"A good portion of the state is going to sustain winds of over 60 miles per hour," said Tim Horan, president of National Grid earlier Friday. He went on to say that they positioned crews across the state to respond to outages.

The outages are not unexpected, and Graves said earlier Friday that outages were likely.

 “We’re looking at potential for some widespread outages,” said Graves Friday morning, noting that given the predicted wind velocities damage to power lines was anticipated. 

When speaking to Allen, he cautioned listeners to stay away from downed power lines. 

Graves said power would be restored to users by tonight, as long as winds did not exeed 40 miles per hour, a wind speed that precents the use of bucket trucks.

To report an outage, call 1-800-465-1212.

For detailed forecasts, up-to-the-minute closings and information, visit our Operation Snowball page.