RHODE ISLAND — After a powerful blizzard dumped nearly three feet of snow across parts of Southern New England, Rhode Island is now relying on out-of-state crews to help manage an ongoing snow removal crisis that continues to strain local resources.
Departments of Transportation from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have deployed plows and heavy equipment into the Ocean State as cleanup efforts stretch into another demanding phase.
Nearly Three Feet of Snow Overwhelms Local Crews
The winter storm left massive drifts across residential neighborhoods and secondary roads, creating dangerous and difficult travel conditions long after the snowfall ended.
While highways and major roadways are largely cleared, many side streets remain narrowed by snowbanks, slowing traffic and complicating daily commutes. Local public works departments have been working around the clock, but officials acknowledged that manpower and equipment were stretched thin.
Reinforcements Arrive from Neighboring States
Support from surrounding states began earlier in the week, with additional plows and equipment arriving from Vermont to reinforce local operations. Now, crews from Connecticut and Pennsylvania have joined the effort, bringing additional vehicles and operators to help accelerate snow removal.
The out-of-state assistance highlights the severity of the storm’s impact and the regional cooperation often required during extreme weather events.
Providence Deploys National Guard
In Providence, members of the Rhode Island National Guard have been deployed to assist in clearing sidewalks and supporting snow removal in densely populated areas hit hardest by the blizzard.
Officials say the focus remains on improving access to residential neighborhoods where heavy drifts and narrowed roadways continue to pose challenges.
Private Contractors Brought In
State and municipal leaders are also working to secure private contractors to speed up the reopening of side streets. With reinforcements now coming in from Pennsylvania and other states, officials are hopeful that the added manpower and equipment will help communities return to normal more quickly.
The regional response underscores both the storm’s intensity and the logistical hurdles that follow when nearly three feet of snow blankets an area in a short period of time.
As cleanup continues across Rhode Island, residents are being urged to remain patient and exercise caution on local roads.
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