PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has banned tractor-trailer travel on state roads until 9 p.m. due to a fierce winter storm that was forecast to bring blizzard conditions and to dump well over a foot of snow on the state.
The governor announced the ban during a news conference on Thursday, saying that several trucks had jack-knifed and gotten stuck on roads. Around the state, intense winds and heavy snowfall reduced visibility and made it difficult to travel.
The Democratic governor said she was refraining, for now, from declaring a state of emergency because motorists were heeding calls to stay home and few power outages were reported.
The snow accumulation had already hit 8 inches in East Providence before noon, according to unofficial totals reported into the National Weather Service.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.