Governor McKee Declares State of Emergency, Points Travel Ban

Sunday, February 22, 2026

GoLocalProv News Team

 

Governor Dan McKee declared a State of Emergency for Rhode Island, issued a journey ban, and enabled the activation of the Rhode Island National Guard as wanted forward of blizzard circumstances that will impression your entire state starting on Sunday night. 

McKee can be activating the State Emergency Operations Center during the storm.

“We’re asking Rhode Islanders to take this storm seriously and stay home,” Governor McKee stated. “This is an all-hands-on-deck response. Our state agencies have the resources and manpower they need to respond and keep Rhode Islanders safe.”

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Forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Rhode Island starting on Sunday, February 22, at 4:00 p.m. via Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 a.m. The present forecast reveals the potential for 18 to 24 inches of heavy, moist snow with wind gusts as much as 60 mph throughout the state. The heaviest accumulation, together with whiteout circumstances are anticipated between 1:00 a.m. and midday on Monday. Blizzard circumstances are anticipated to create hazardous journey, with severely diminished visibility and the potential for energy outages.

 

Travel Ban

Beginning on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 5 p.m., there will be a restriction on industrial car journey on all roads statewide. Beginning on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 7 p.m., there can be a restriction on all motorized vehicle journey on all roads statewide. These restrictions can be in impact till additional discover. Vehicles transporting emergency provides and/or emergency personnel can be exempt from these restrictions.

 

State Government Closed

State authorities workplaces can be closed on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the State of Emergency, all non-essential state personnel are relieved from responsibility. Essential personnel, as decided by their respective businesses, ought to report back to work and/or stay at work.

 

McKee Administration Preparations

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has roughly 500 state and vendor plows and 60,000 tons of salt obtainable. Roads have been completely pretreated, and crews can be reporting properly prematurely of the storm. 

 

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