Key Highlights
- Rhode Island received help from Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut to manage the aftermath of a major blizzard.
- The state’s governor emphasized the importance of out-of-state assistance in dealing with the storm’s impact.
- A total of 500 trucks were deployed by Rhode Island for snow removal, including both state-owned and private contractor vehicles.
- Documentation of expenses is ongoing to secure federal funding for recovery efforts.
Rhode Island Seeks Aid in Blizzard Recovery
Rhode Island found itself in a dire situation after the recent blizzard, with hundreds of thousands of residents left buried under three feet of snow. Patrick Anderson, Providence Journal, reports on how neighboring states stepped up to help.
Vermont’s Diesel Scented Victory
On Wednesday, February 25, five Vermont Transportation Agency dump trucks towing front-end loaders arrived at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency warehouse. State Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. quipped, “I love the smell of Vermont diesel in the morning,” to a gathered audience.
Vermont isn’t alone. A convoy from Pennsylvania was expected early Thursday with eight front-end loaders and ten dump trucks. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont also pitched in by sending plow crews to Rhode Island and Massachusetts for snow removal assistance.
Providence’s Snowbound Side Streets
Dan McKee, governor of Rhode Island, highlighted the importance of out-of-state help: “Our state ro are in good shape, but the capacity for our state DOT is at its peak and what we are doing is working with municipal leadership because the magnitude of this storm has really stressed the communities.”
The Vermont trucks will start assisting Providence where numerous side streets remain snow-bound. McKee added, “We’re just happy to come down and help you guys out,” as Jake Gauthier, a leader from the Vermont contingent, put it.
State’s Ongoing Snow Removal Efforts
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has mobilized around 500 trucks since Sunday’s storm began. According to DOT spokesman Charles St. Martin, about 200 are state-owned while 300 belong to private contractors.
“We were able to receive millions of dollars back from the federal government,” McKee said, noting that recovery costs would likely take weeks or months to calculate and that the state hopes for substantial federal support.
Documenting Every Expense
A major General Andrew Chevalier of the Rhode Island National Guard is coordinating efforts. He confirmed the promise of assistance from Maine as well. The state is meticulously documenting all expenses, knowing full well it will need to present a case for federal aid in due time.
When that total is calculated, McKee said he hopes “the federal government will pick up a large part of the tab.” For now, Rhode Island is focused on recovery and ensuring its residents can get through this harsh winter season.
You might think this is new, but blizzards have been hitting New England for decades. This time, it’s clear that state collaboration is key in managing such natural disasters effectively.