Schools closed, city prepares for storm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Providence city officials have closed all public schools, and have issued a parking ban in the capital city, in preparation for the major winter storm expected to roll into our area Wednesday morning.

Mayor David N. Cicilline and Providence Emergency Management Agency are advising residents to take proper precautions and be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store.

“We are expecting this to be a major winter storm with up to 12 inches of snow and heavy winds that are expected to cause power outages and dangerous driving conditions,” said Mayor Cicilline.

“As the City prepares to respond to this storm, I’m urging residents to adhere to the parking ban and and to stay off the roads, if possible, so that crews plow the streets to make the streets safe for travel.”

The Department of Public Works crews will begin pretreating the main roads at 5a.m., in advance of the storm. DPW will have more than 140 trucks on the road clearing a path. 

Cancellations

• Providence School Superintendent Thomas Brady has cancelled school for Wednesday and is encouraging the School Department’s full-time administrative staff to take a personal day Wednesday.
• All after-school activities at schools and recreation centers have been cancelled.
• My Time with the Mayor, which was scheduled to take place Wednesday at 5pm at the D’Abate Elementary School, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 16 at 7p.m.

Parking Ban

• A citywide parking ban with go into effect at 5a.m. on Wednesday and remain in effect until 8am Thursday. The parking ban will be strictly enforced and cars will ticketed and towed. The ban applies to residential permit parking as well.
• Cars parked in school parking lots overnight will also be towed.

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.

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 Wednesday to reduce travel during the height of the storm.

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.
• 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.