Heavy Snow Relief: Rhode Island Roads Open, But Caution Remains

The governor officially ended the travel restriction on Tuesday at noon, yet urged residents to avoid driving unless it is essential. He emphasized that recovering from the severe blizzard will take time and that efforts to restore normalcy are ongoing.

During the storm, state police handled 269 stranded vehicles and 20 collisions, and they issued more than 40 tickets for those who broke the road‑closure order.

The decision to lift the ban was driven primarily by safety concerns, but also by a desire to allow small businesses to reopen and keep the local economy moving.

The National Guard was called in to help clear roads, check warming centers, and ensure no one remained trapped in disabled cars.

Rhode Island asked for help from neighboring states, borrowing heavy equipment such as plows and backhoes to speed up snow removal.

The state’s energy department deployed over 400 crews—about 1,400 workers—to assess damage and restore power. In some places, electricity may be out for up to three days or more.

Those needing housing assistance can visit the state’s shelter portal, and anyone without transport should contact their local public safety office for help getting to a shelter.