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Powerful Blizzard Threatens Widespread Power Outages in Rhode Island
State of emergency declared as storm could leave up to 150,000 customers without power for days
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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A powerful blizzard is bearing down on the northeastern United States, with Rhode Island bracing for widespread power outages and a 'multi-day' restoration effort, officials warned. The storm, forecast to bring up to 30 inches of heavy, wet snow and wind gusts reaching 60 mph, prompted Governor Dan McKee to declare a state of emergency and issue a travel ban.
Why it matters
The combination of high winds and heavy, wet snow is a particularly concerning factor, as the weight of the snow coupled with strong gusts increases the risk of downed power lines and tree limbs, leading to widespread outages. The potential for ice accumulation could further exacerbate the problem, highlighting the vulnerability of aging infrastructure to extreme weather events.
The details
Rhode Island Energy anticipates between 100,000 and 150,000 customers could lose power as a result of the blizzard. The utility's protocol prioritizes restoring power to the highest-load areas first, beginning with substations, then urban centers, and finally extending to more rural areas of the state. The challenge is compounded by the fact that only approximately half of the state is equipped with 'smart meters' that automatically report outages.
- The travel ban for commercial vehicles began at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 22nd, expanding to all vehicle traffic at 7 p.m.
- State government offices will be closed on Monday, February 23rd, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The players
Dan McKee
The Governor of Rhode Island who declared a state of emergency and issued a travel ban in response to the impending blizzard.
Brian Schuster
The head of external affairs for Rhode Island Energy, the utility company that anticipates between 100,000 and 150,000 customers could lose power due to the storm.
What they’re saying
“What we have is gonna be a big one. We do anticipate... extensive, widespread, significant outages overall from this event.”
— Brian Schuster, Head of External Affairs, Rhode Island Energy (newsdirectory3.com)
“I'm asking Rhode Islanders to take this storm seriously. Safety is our priority. This is an all-hands-on-deck response. Our state agencies have the resources and manpower they need to respond and keep Rhode Islanders safe.”
— Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island (newsdirectory3.com)
What’s next
The Rhode Island Energy outage map is being updated every 15 minutes, providing residents with information about outages in their area, repair status updates, and estimated repair times, where available. The map also indicates the location of ice and water distribution points, should they become necessary.
The takeaway
The approaching blizzard highlights the vulnerability of aging infrastructure to extreme weather events, and the long-term implications of increasingly frequent and intense storms on the region's power grid and emergency preparedness capabilities will likely be a subject of ongoing discussion and investment.
