Declaration of Disaster Emergency (Winter Storm)

WHEREAS, the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the entire State of Rhode Island from Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. until Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.;

WHEREAS, blizzard conditions, heavy, wet, rapidly falling snow, snow accumulations of up to one to two feet and wind gusts as high as 60 miles per hour are forecast to impact the entire state;

WHEREAS, these weather conditions may result in dangerous driving conditions, road closures, stranded vehicles, power outages, structural damage, and other potential hazards which pose an imminent threat to public safety and to public and private property; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety and resources of the people of the State of Rhode Island may be endangered thereby.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DANIEL J. McKEE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Rhode Island, pursuant to Article IX of the Rhode Island Constitution and the Rhode Island General Laws, including, but not limited to, Title 30, Chapter 15, do hereby order and direct the following:

1. A state of emergency is declared for the State of Rhode Island due to the dangers posed by this winter storm and the state disaster emergency plan is activated. 
2. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is directed to stand up the state emergency operations center and to activate all other necessary state emergency response plans, policies, compacts and agreements, to create and establish mobile support units, and to activate and deploy disaster response teams and disaster response workers to perform disaster response services.
3. The Adjutant General is authorized to order Rhode Island National Guard members to state active duty, if necessary, to assist in the response to this disaster.
4. The Director of the Department of Environmental Management is authorized to suspend regulations governing fishery landings as deemed necessary.
5. All state departments, agencies or quasi-state agencies and boards and commissions performing executive functions shall cooperate fully with RIEMA in all matters concerning this Order. 
6. All non-essential State offices and agencies shall be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. All non-essential personnel shall be relieved from duty during this time. Essential personnel, as determined by their respective agencies, should report to work and/or remain at work.
7. Beginning on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 5 p.m., there shall be a restriction on commercial vehicle travel on all roads statewide.  Beginning on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 7 p.m., there shall be a restriction on all motor vehicle travel on all roads statewide. These restrictions shall be in effect until further notice.  Vehicles transporting emergency supplies and/or emergency personnel shall be exempt from these restrictions.  Vehicles permitted to travel under these exceptions will not be permitted to travel over the Newport and Jamestown Bridges when the bridges are closed.
8. Pursuant to the emergency powers granted by the Rhode Island General Laws, and any other applicable provisions of state or federal law, I may, from time to time, issue additional recommendations, directions and orders as circumstances require, either written or verbal.

This Order shall take effect at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026 and will remain in effect until the threat or danger has passed or the emergency conditions no longer exist.

So Ordered:

___________________________

Daniel J. McKee

Governor