Cranston, Rhode Island – On February 25, 2026, state officials received an essential boost in their snow removal efforts from neighboring Vermont and other Northeastern states as blizzard conditions continued to challenge plow drivers. A fleet of five dump trucks from the Vermont Transportation Agency, equipped with front-end loaders, arrived at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency warehouse around noon. These vehicles were quickly deployed across the state to aid in clearing the significant snowfall.
Rhode Island Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr. expressed his appreciation, jokingly stating, “I love the smell of Vermont diesel in the morning,” as he addressed reporters and Vermont drivers at the warehouse. Anticipation grew as a convoy of trucks from Pennsylvania was set to arrive the following day, contributing eight front-end loaders and ten dump trucks to the recovery efforts.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont also announced that his state would send plow crews to assist Rhode Island and Massachusetts in tackling the ongoing snow removal challenges. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee explained that these out-of-state resources would be vital in clearing snow from side streets, country lanes, and parking areas that had become buried under approximately three feet of snow.
Governor McKee highlighted, “Our state roads 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 are expected to prioritize areas like Providence where many streets remained largely inaccessible due to the accumulation of snow.
Jake Gauthier, a leader among the Vermont drivers, assured local officials, “We’re just happy to come down and help you guys out. We’ll stay as long as you need and help out any way we can.” Support has also come from the Rhode Island National Guard, with Major General Andrew Chevalier noting that crews and equipment from the Maine National Guard are on standby ready to assist.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has mobilized around 500 trucks since the storm began, of which about 200 belong to the state agency and the remaining 300 are operated by private contractors. Over 600 personnel are engaged in snow removal activities, although an estimate of overtime costs remains unknown as cleanup efforts persist.
As the state braces for a prolonged recovery period, Governor McKee is optimistic about receiving federal assistance following a letter sent by the state’s congressional delegation to President Donald Trump, advocating for a federal emergency declaration in light of the blizzard. This action aims to facilitate quicker access to federal funding and a more efficient emergency response.
Recovery from the Blizzard of ’26 will take time, but the collaborative efforts among states exemplify a resolute spirit of cooperation and a shared commitment to overcoming the challenges posed by severe weather.