RI Begins Cleanup After Blizzard Drops 2 Feet Of Snow

RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island's travel ban was extended to midnight, Gov. Dan McKee announced Saturday afternoon, due to continued dangerous conditions on the roads. With thickly falling snow and gusty winds, visibility is extremely low on many roads, the governor warned.

McKee said the latest projections showed about 20 inches of snow accumulation, on average, across the state during the storm. The governor applauded state and local leaders for their work to plan and prepare for the historic storm.

Some other highlights from the governor's 4 p.m. news conference:

• Rhode Island Public Transit Authority service will resume as scheduled Sunday morning, subject to road conditions
• The Block Island Ferry will resume service Sunday
• All East Bay bridges will reopen to traffic at midnight, when the travel ban lifts

The snow is expected to taper off during the evening hours. With winds still gusting and visibility low, the extended travel ban will allow plow drivers to catch up on clearing roads, the governor said.

McKee called the storm response "a team effort" between the state and municipal leaders.

"Because of the great team we have, we'll get through this," McKee said. "The roads have been treated, the plows are out and parking bans are in effect."

Related: What to expect from powerful winter storm

The governor said his plan was to make this storm "a non-event."

"At this point in time, we feel things are going very well," McKee said at 4 p.m., but cautioned Rhode Islanders that there were several more hours before the snow's end.

Overnight, Rhode Island State Police responded to 15 weather-related crashes on highways, the governor said. After the travel ban went into effect, most residents have been obeying the order to stay at home.

"The majority of Rhode Islanders are off the highways today," State Police Col. James Manni said.

Peter Alviti, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, said that "everything is going exactly according to plan" on the state's roads. The department activated 150 of its own plows, along with 300 private contractors, to keep roads clear. Drivers were out all night pretreating roads and have begun the plowing process. While conditions are extremely dangerous, the roads are passable for emergency vehicles and others who must venture out, he said.

Read more: RI Winter Storm: Tips To Stay Safe

Throughout the day, power outages remained scattered across Rhode Island, with only about 60 to 75 at a time, Chris Kelly, the CEO of National Grid, said. Throughout the day, about 700 restorations were completed across Rhode Island.

"We were lucky Rhode Island," Kelley said.

Kelly assured the company is prepared for a "significant event," and anticipates more outages to come as the storm progresses.

National Grid is prepared for a "tight three," Kelly said, hoping to get all storm-related issues resolved within 72 hours of its onset.

Rhode Islanders can report power outages to National Grid online, by calling 1-800-465-1212 or by texting "OUT" to 64743.