Governor McKee Declares State of Emergency, Issues Travel Ban Ahead of Blizzard Conditions

Governor Enables Activation of Rhode Island National Guard to Support Statewide Response

Governor Activates State Emergency Operations Center

State Government Closed on Monday

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today declared a State of Emergency for Rhode Island, issued a travel ban, and enabled the activation of the Rhode Island National Guard as needed ahead of blizzard conditions that will impact the entire state beginning on Sunday evening. The Governor is also activating the State Emergency Operations Center for the duration of the storm.

“We’re asking Rhode Islanders to take this storm seriously and stay home,” Governor McKee said. “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.”

Forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Rhode Island beginning on Sunday, February 22, at 4:00 p.m. through Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 a.m. The current forecast shows the potential for 18 to 24 inches of heavy, wet snow with wind gusts up to 60 mph across the state. The heaviest accumulation, along with whiteout conditions are expected between 1:00 a.m. and noon on Monday. Blizzard conditions are expected to create hazardous travel, with severely reduced visibility and the potential for power outages.

Travel Bans

Beginning on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 5 p.m., there will be a restriction on commercial vehicle travel on all roads statewide. Beginning on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 7 p.m., there will be a restriction on all motor vehicle travel on all roads statewide. These restrictions will be in effect until further notice. Vehicles transporting emergency supplies and/or emergency personnel will be exempt from these restrictions.

The order can be viewed here.

State Government Operations

State government offices will 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 duty. Essential personnel, as determined by their respective agencies, should report to work and/or remain at work.

McKee Administration Preparations

Earlier this morning, the Governor convened agency directors across state government and municipal leaders and emergency managers to ensure a strong coordinates response across state and local government.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has approximately 500 state and vendor plows and 60,000 tons of salt available. Roads have been thoroughly pretreated, and crews will be reporting well in advance of the storm.

The Executive Office of Housing announced the activation of all emergency pop-up sites to help Rhode Islanders in need remain safe and warm during the storm. The following emergency pop-up sites operated by the R.I. Council of Churches will be open from 5:00 p.m. tonight to 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 24. To access a site listed below, individuals should first go to Matthewson Street Church.

Matthewson Street Church – 134 Matthewson St., Providence
Community Church of Providence – 372 Wayland Ave., Providence
Open Table of Christ – 1520 Broad St., Providence
A fourth emergency pop-up site, operated by the Town of West Warwick, will be open from 5:00 p.m. tonight to 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 24. To access this site, individuals can go directly to the address below.

West Warwick Civic Center – 100 Factory St., West Warwick
These emergency pop-up sites are opening in addition to shelters in communities across the state—no one will be turned away without a place to go. For a full list visit https://housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness.

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is monitoring storm activities throughout the weekend and will remain in close communication with local emergency management departments to ensure communities have the necessary support in place. Find a list of local warming centers here. RIEMA is also working with the Rhode Island Red Cross to stand up the following regional shelters for additional capacity:

Gaudet Middle School — 1113 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown (4 p.m.)
Jenks Middle School — 350 Division St, Pawtucket (6 p.m.)

The following shelters are on standby:

Cumberland High School — 2600 Mendon Rd, Cumberland, RI
Broad Rock Middle School — 351 Broad Rock Rd, Wakefield, RI
The Office of Energy Resources is in close contact with Rhode Island Energy, Clear River Electric & Water District, Block Island Utility District, and the state’s delivered fuel terminals to monitor the storm’s impact on power and fuel supplies across the state.

Rhode Island State Police has called in extra troopers who will be monitoring the highways and assisting motorists as needed.

The Governor’s State of Emergency enables the activation of the Rhode Island National Guard (RING) to support the statewide response. RING has guard members on standby, ready to assist throughout the storm as needed.