February 22, 2026 — Officials and members of the Woonsocket Firefighters Local 732 reminded residents that a statewide State of Emergency had been declared in Rhode Island as a major winter storm moved into the region. Authorities announced that no road travel would be permitted after 7:00 p.m. in order to allow snowplow operators to safely clear roadways, utility crews to maintain essential services, and first responders to reach emergencies without obstruction. Firefighters urged residents to remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary and to monitor local advisories for updates as conditions continued to deteriorate. Officials emphasized that cooperation from the public plays a key role in helping emergency services operate safely during severe winter weather events.