No state of emergency, but governor asks residents to 'stay home'

Blizzard conditions are expected throughout the day Tuesday; 8-12 inches expected

EastBayRI.com ·

Gov. Gina Raimondo declined to declare a state of emergency or issue a travel ban, but urged Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads as a "major snow event" bears down on the state.

"Stay home, stay home, stay home," Gov. Riamondo said during a 6 p.m. news conference. "At this point, I don’t think a travel ban is necessary, but I’m asking everyone to please stay home."

To that end, the governor closed state offices Tuesday in anticipation of the storm. All non-essential, non-emergency personnel should stay home Tuesday.

"I’m doing that so folks will be safe, so people will stay home, but also to keep as many cars as possible off the roads so road crews can do their jobs," she said, noting she could issue a travel ban tuesday if conditions worsen.

Heavy snow and strong winds are expected to lash the state most of the day Tuesday, beginning just before dawn and continuing into the evening. Heavy winds are anticipated, with gusts approaching 50 mph. Most of the state, including the East Bay, is expected to get 8-12 inches of snow, before a mix of rain begins.

Schools are cancelled all around the state and parking bans have been instituted in many towns. Check with eastbayri.com for more details as they become available.

Winter 2017, blizzard
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