Residents Urged to Take Precautions as Severe Winter Storm Approaches

Parking ban will go into effect Sunday, December 26th at noon

Mayor David N. Cicilline and the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) is advising residents to be prepared for a significant winter storm that is expected to hit Providence Sunday morning and continue through the Monday morning commute. The National Weather Service is predicting up to 8 to 12 inches of snow in the Providence area as well as heavy winds that could cause power outages, whiteouts and hazardous driving conditions.

Residents are advised to use extreme caution while driving and to stay off the roads, if possible, during the height of the storm so that Department of Public Works crews can make the roads safe for travel.

Snow removal response
PEMA is coordinating the City's response to the storm from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Department of Public Works crews will begin pretreating the main roads at 7am Sunday morning. DPW will have more than 105 trucks on the road and will focus on clearing the main arteries, overpasses and hospital routes first, before making their way to secondary roads. Providence Police will monitor key intersections to ensure smooth traffic flow during rush hour.

Parking Ban

• A citywide parking ban will go into effect at noon on Sunday and remain in effect until at least 2pm Monday.
• Those attending performances downtown are encouraged to seek off street parking in parking lots or garages

Flex Hours

• The City has reached out to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce to ask them encourage businesses to consider allowing employees to work flexible hours on Sunday night and Monday morning.
• City of Providence Department directors have also been asked to consider allowing employees to work flexible hours as they continue to deliver services to residents.

Emergency Shelters
PEMA is prepared to open emergency shelters if necessary and the agency's shelter volunteers who have been trained by the Red Cross are on standby ready to respond.

Recommendations for residents:

• Motorists are asked to stay off the roads if possible during the height of the storm. If residents need to drive, allow extra time and use extreme caution on the roadways.
• Fuel your vehicle and make sure windshield wipers, defrosters and mirrors are in good working order. Switch to snow tires to make certain your vehicle is able to negotiate snow covered roadways.
• Stayed tuned to local broadcasts for information on storm related updates.
• If power outages occur, contact National Grid at 1-800-322-3223.
• Do not touch any downed utility lines and report them to the Fire Department at 274-3344.
• For trees that are not posing a safety hazard, contact the Parks Department Forestry Division at 785-9450.
• Remove snow from sidewalk within 8 hours after the storm as required by law.

Be a good neighbor
Residents are encouraged to check on their elderly or disabled neighbors and volunteer to shovel snow for those who are unable to clear their own sidewalks and driveways.