Providence just experienced the most historic snow event in our history. At least 37 inches of snow covered the city and all plowing activity that was completed during the storm was wiped out by white-out conditions and drifting snow from severe winds. While the snowfall is over, crews are not focused on clean up and recovery. During a major storm, the goal is first to make roads passable. Subsequently, crews work around the clock for many days to make streets usable, safe, and accessible for residents, businesses, emergency vehicles, trash pickup and schools. Emergency recovery operations of this scale are often measured in weeks, not hours.
If the storm is over, why hasn’t my street been plowed curb to curb?
Snow response has two phases. Phase 1 includes keeping main roads open so ambulances, fire trucks, police and emergency and essential personnel can navigate roadways. Given the severity of the blizzard, this was incredibly difficult during the storm and continued well into Tuesday to ensure that those who needed access to hospital and medical services were able to get there.
The next step, Phase 2, which is where we are now, is the longest part of operations. After a blizzard of this size, crews must remove snow so that typical plows can access street to do traditional snow removal. This includes crews widening streets, maintaining bus routes, clearing intersections, addressing icy hills and paths to schools. Large storms require multiple full passes across the entire city, which takes several days. During Phase 2, crews work citywide on residential and side streets while prioritizing these targeted operations.
Why is my street still narrow?
It can take multiple passes and multiple days to completely clear a street. Things that complicate and prevent street widening include parked cars, narrow streets, packed snow turning to ice and snowbanks taller than plow blades. Please remember that your street has not been skipped. Crews must clear the whole city network before they can return to widen your street.
Why do parked cars matter so much?
Post-storm clearing is when parked vehicles cause the biggest delays. If cars remain on the street, plows cannot reach the curb, streets remain one lane, trash trucks cannot pass and emergency vehicles struggle to turn corners. Parking bans and temporary restrictions exist mainly for this recovery phase, not just the snowfall itself. Unnecessary travel and abandoned vehicles have severely slowed trucks ability to access streets and complete plow paths. The parking ban will end at 5:00PM on February 28th.
Why does the plow keep burying my driveway?
This tends to happen once plow operations move into the street widening phase of storm response. As crews widen streets, they move snow from the travel lane toward the curb. Because driveways open along the curb line, snow will often collect there during subsequent passes. Clearing a small area on the left side of your driveway (facing the street) can help limit how much snow is pushed back in on the next pass.
As a reminder, per city ordinance, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property to ensure safe pedestrian access. The City is working with Groundwork RI to launch the Providence Snow Corps, which will coordinate volunteer snow removal for aging, disabled and medically limited neighbors who are physically unable to clear their private steps and walkways. This program is intended to provide targeted support while DPW remains focused on public roadway operations.
- Residents in need of assistance can complete the Request for Assistance Form, available in English and Spanish. Assistance is dependent on volunteer and partner availability and cannot be guaranteed. Residents experiencing a medical emergency or who cannot safely remain in their home should call 911.
- Individuals and organizations interested in volunteering can complete the Volunteer Form, also available in English and Spanish. Groundwork RI will coordinate matches and volunteers will communicate directly with residents.
For a typical large storm, recovery typically takes multiple days after snowfall ends. Work continues 24 hours a day and includes widening, salting, ice breaking, hauling snow from tight areas and intersection clearing. This storm is significantly different, this will be a longer and more intense recovery that will last into the weeks to come or until temperatures increase. You will often see plows on the same street more than once. This means the process is progressing, not restarting.
When should I contact 311?
Please submit a PVD311 request if your street has not been plowed at all after the storm, an intersection is impassable or there is a safety hazard. Please call 911 for emergencies.
Why is trash pickup delayed?
Normal trash pick-up services impede effective snow removal efforts and suspending these services through the week will ensure the City’s trucks can effectively make Providence’s roads safe and accessible in every neighborhood. Like many other communities, the City has suspended pick-up which will resume next week on Monday, March 2 on the normal trash pick-up schedule. No-cost overflow bags will be available at City Hall beginning Monday 3/2/26 and 75 Chapman Street.
What can I expect next?
Over the next few days residents and businesses will see initial opening, widening, salting and ice breaking, corner clearing and continued cleanup. Recovery is a process, not a single plow visit. This event will take days, not hours, to clean up.
City crews have been operating continuously through the storm and recovery period. The work does not end when snowfall stops. In many ways, the hardest part begins after. We appreciate residents’ and businesses patience as crews work 24/7 to safely restore every neighborhood.
What is the City doing for the unhoused?
During periods of extreme cold or severe weather, the State, City, local providers and neighboring communities activate a coordinated network of warming centers to ensure no one is left without a safe place to go. In Providence, shelters opting to operate under Code Blue policies will not turn anyone away.
Ahead of the blizzard, the City’s Emergency Management team and Administration delivered supplies to all warming center locations. We remain in close communication with operators to monitor capacity and needs. Our EMS Mobile Health 1 unit extends its hours during weather emergencies to provide crisis response and transportation to shelters and warming centers, while EMS teams conduct wellness checks at known encampments.
In addition, East Bay Community Action Program (East Bay CAP) conducts mobile outreach to connect individuals with shelter, warming centers, and critical services. City staff actively monitor warming site capacity and supply levels throughout the emergency.
For a list of active warming sites, please visit here.