Governor Dan McKee lifted Rhode Island’s motor vehicle and commercial travel bans at noon Tuesday, signaling a major step toward recovery after the historic blizzard.
State officials are urging residents to stay home if possible as cities and towns continue digging out. Local parking bans remain in effect and will be lifted by municipalities when streets are ready.
“Our plow crews have been out in full force to make sure our state roads are safe for travel,” McKee said, thanking plow drivers, first responders, utility crews and municipal workers for working around the clock. He cautioned that full recovery will take time.
Road conditions
Rhode Island Department of Transportation crews will remain on state roads, widening lanes and clearing snowbanks. Teams are also monitoring for refreezing as temperatures drop and are assisting local communities as needed.
The state is requesting mutual aid from neighboring states, including payloaders, heavy-duty plows and backhoes to speed up snow removal. McKee met with municipal leaders Tuesday morning to assess conditions. The Rhode Island National Guard continues to assist in hard-hit areas.
Major bridges — the Jamestown Verrazzano, Mount Hope, Newport Pell and Sakonnet River bridges — reopened at noon also.
Power outages
Rhode Island Energy has more than 400 crews and 1,400 personnel deployed statewide to assess damage, clear debris and restore service. Officials warn that in some areas, restoration could take up to 72 hours or longer.
Residents can report outages at RIEnergy.com/outage, by texting OUTAGE to 743674 or calling 855-743-1101.
Shelters
Expanded shelter capacity remains available statewide. Emergency pop-up shelters are open for the foreseeable future, except the West Warwick shelter, which is scheduled to close Thursday at 9 a.m.
Additional regional shelters have opened in Middletown, Pawtucket and Wakefield in coordination with the Rhode Island Red Cross. State officials say no one will be turned away.
Residents are reminded never to use portable generators indoors and to keep them at least 20 feet from buildings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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