PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — National Grid says more than 178,000 homes and businesses remained without power in Rhode Island following a massive snowstorm, and they're advising residents to be prepared for outages that could last for days.

The utility reports most of the outages mid-morning Saturday were in Providence County — though virtually everyone in Newport and Bristol counties was also without power at midday Saturday.

More than 180,000 utility customers lost power at some point during the storm.

National Grid has brought in hundreds of extra crews to respond to downed lines and restore power. Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) has asked residents to stay off roadways to allow crews to get to work.