City of Providence Announces Citywide Parking Ban Ahead of Winter Storm
Snow removal efforts, warming centers, and city services are in place as a winter storm approaches
PROVIDENCE, RI — Mayor Brett P. Smiley and the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) today urged Providence residents to take appropriate precautions as a winter storm is forecast to bring significant hazardous conditions to the city from Sunday, February 22 through Monday, February 23. The Department of Public Works (DPW) has proactively prepared all equipment and personnel to respond to the storm. Roadways will be pretreated tonight and tomorrow ahead of the expected snowfall. With snow accumulation expected to begin tomorrow evening, a Citywide parking ban will go into effect at 3 PM on Sunday, February 22 until further notice.
The parking ban will prohibit parking on all snow routes and city streets to allow snowplows to clear roadways effectively. The ban will remain in effect until further notice, and violators may be subject to ticketing and towing. During a parking ban, residents, including those with an overnight parking permit, are not allowed to park on city streets. Parking in Providence Public School parking lots is prohibited during a parking ban.
Overnight permit holders will now be able to park at one of sixteen approved locations citywide. If there is not an approved location nearby, residents can use another approved site, including on-street locations adjacent to city parks, parking lots within city parks and select on-street locations on particularly wide streets.
Permit holders can move their vehicle to an approved location once a snow parking ban is announced. After the ban is lifted, residents have eight hours to move their vehicle from the approved location. Vehicles left past this grace period may be ticketed or towed to allow city plows to clear streets efficiently.
To facilitate snow removal and ensure safety, all micro mobility services, including shared bikes and scooters, will be temporarily paused starting at 4PM on Sunday, February 22 and will remain paused until the City’s snow parking ban is lifted.
The City and PEMA recommend all residents stay indoors when possible and limit exposure to the cold and wind. They also encourage the community to take precautions and are providing the following tips and suggestions.
Cold Weather Safety Tips:
Be aware of the fire danger from space heaters and candles; keep such devices away from all flammable materials.
Install recommended smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (at least one of each per floor in your home).
Stay indoors and use safe heating sources.
Do not use charcoal or other fuel-burning devices, such as grills indoors; these produce carbon monoxide.
· Outdoors, stay dry and in wind-protected areas.
Wear a hat or hood to prevent heat from escaping the body and several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing, covering all exposed skin during exposure.
· Bring household pets inside, if possible.
· Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and people with special needs.
· Wear mittens, a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
Watch for signs of frostbite—skin appears white and waxy, numbness or no feeling in that area and/or possible blister.
Watch for signs of hypothermia—shivering and numbness, confusion or dizziness, stumbling and weakness, slow or slurred speech and shock.
To assist residents affected by the cold temperatures, warming centers will be open to the public. For a full list of warming centers, visit www.providenceri.gov/pema/providence-warming-centers/.
In the event of a power outage, residents should contact Rhode Island Energy at 855-743-1102. Residents are reminded to never to touch downed power lines and report downed lines to Rhode Island Energy.
Stay informed on upcoming weather events or possible storms by following the City of Providence and PEMA social media platforms and by creating a PVD311 profile and signing up for PVD311 text notifications.
To receive up-to-the-minute alerts and updates, residents are encouraged to register for the CodeRED emergency notification system by visiting: https://www.providenceri.com/PEMA/codered.
In case of an emergency, dial 911. For non-emergency issues, contact PVD311 during business hours.
The City will issue a press release, social media posts and a PVD311 text alert once the parking ban is lifted.
