Blizzard 26: Responders ‘Hoofing It’, Travel Ban Ends at Noon

WARWICK, RI — By 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, 20,000 Rhode Islanders were without power as residents continued clearing snowfall rivaling the Blizzard of 1978, at 37.9 inches recorded at Tf Green Airport at 7 p.m. Monday.

The total is on par with, but not more than, the highest official reported snowfall from Blizzard of 78, in the Boston and Providence region,  38 inches, according to the National Weather Service reports on the 1978 storm and recent snowfall.  There is an anecdotal chance that the Blizzard of ’78 holds the record by far, according to the NWS, with an unofficial report of 55 inches in Lincoln, RI.

Historic or not, the blizzard has necessitated state and municipal office closures, public schools and service closures, including Warwick Public Schools and Coventry Public Schools, as reported through the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association (RIBA) cancellation website. Warwick’s parking ban remains in effect until Wednesday, 6 p.m. Trash pickup is also delayed one day this week.

The state will lift the travel ban at noon, Gov. Dan McKee announced during a 10:30 a.m. news conference on the storm response.

Ban or not, many side streets remain blocked by snow, as many commented on the press conference livestream.

“We are asking residents, if you do not need to travel, please stay home,” RI State Police asked the public.

Blizzard ’26: Kent Hospital Docs Hike, Ski to serve

Kent County Hospital and Women and Infants Hospital staff used boots, skis, and snowshoes to get to work at the care centers during the height of the storm.

“While the powerful blizzard blanketed the region and roads became impassable, our team turned to unconventional ways to get to work – hiking and skiing! Patient care is our top priority, so they strapped on their skis and boots and made their way to Kent and Women & Infants to ensure the hospital remained staffed and patient care was uninterrupted,” wrote Doreen Gavigan,  senior manager, External Communications for Care New England.

Blizzard ’26: WFD Responders Hike to Calls

As plow truck drivers fought an hourly battle against rapid snowfall and wind-blown drifts to keep roads and highways clear, essential personnel, including emergency personnel, hiked in teams to get to people during emergencies.

WFD shared a video of a group of WFD EMS responders hiking along a somewhat-plowed road to an emergency call, with the dispatcher’s voice advising them about a plow assist.

“Thank you man. We’re hoofing it,” a member of the team responds in the video.