Governor McKee Announces Truck Travel Ban Ahead of Sunday Storm
Published on Sunday, January 25, 2026
PROVIDENCE, RI – In advance of Sunday’s storm, Governor Dan McKee announced a truck travel ban beginning at noon on Sunday, January 25 until further notice. The Governor is also strongly urging Rhode Islanders to avoid travel during the storm.
“We’re strongly urging Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads during the storm to allow the plows to do their job,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Our State Emergency Operations Center will be active and monitoring throughout the storm, our plow crews are geared up, and we’re asking Rhode Islanders to stay informed and stay safe.”
During the ban, tractor-trailers, tankers, special permitted vehicles, RVs, box trucks, vehicles with trailers and, tandems, except those responding to an emergency or carrying emergency supplies, are banned from traveling on the State’s roadways. Public transportation vehicles operated by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority providing bus or passenger service along established routes are not subject to this ban.
Read the proclamation, here.
McKee administration’s latest storm preparation updates:
The Department of Administration—at the Governor’s direction—implemented the State’s Adverse Weather Policy beginning Sunday, January 25 at 3 p.m. through Monday, January 26 at 10 a.m. The State will continue to monitor the forecast and update as necessary.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has approximately 500 state and vendor plows and 60,000 tons of salt ready for the storm. Roads have been thoroughly pretreated.
The Executive Office of Housing announced the activation of all four emergency pop-up sites for individuals seeking refuge from the storm. For a full list of resources and shelter locations, please visit https://housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness
Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency will monitor storm activities at the State Emergency Operations Center and remain in close communication with local emergency management departments to ensure communities have the necessary supports in place.
Rhode Island State Police has called in extra troopers who will be monitoring the highways and assisting motorists if needed.
The Office of Energy Resources is in close contact with Rhode Island Energy, Clear River Electric & Water District, Block Island Utility District and the state's delivered fuel terminals to closely monitor the incoming storm system and its impact on power and fuel supplies across the state. Rhode Island Energy has called in additional restoration and tree crews.
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