02/28/2026
As a former journalist I know how hard it is to get into every community and highlight all of the amazing things happening each and everyday.
No matter how many press releases and media advisories you send out, crews can’t be everywhere, so in East Providence we started putting together a news package style 1-2 minute story each week highlighting everything that happened.
On Monday, February 23rd, Rhode Island saw our heaviest snowfall in state history (by over a foot of snow).
With this being my first major storm in Emergency Management Communications it was vital to keep our community informed as many of us were snowed in for 2 days.
Mayor Bob DaSilva was constantly giving updates to the community through Facebook Live (2-5 times a day). We were sending out daily CodeRED messages and holding daily Emergency Communication meetings, building graphics, and collaborating with our state partners and local media outlets to keep our streets clear and residents informed.
Our DPW teams worked tirelessly, at times for over 24 hours straight to clear our roadways, making sure at least every street in East Providence had one lane open for emergency access.
This storm tested us as a community, but it also brought us together as one, businesses supporting our crews by dropping off hot meals, neighbors helping one another shovel and plow. It truly was a community effort.
Take a look behind the scenes at how East Providence successfully navigated, weathered and conquered the Blizzard of 2026!
