Live updates from Newport County: Tracking Saturday's blizzard

A powerful nor'easter has moved into Southern New England and should leave near-record snowfall before winding down late tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

With wind gusts building to 60 mph, the storm could also knock out power and flood the coast.

The "heaviest snow (near record snow possible) will occur across (Rhode Island) into the Worcester Hills, with 18-24" likely," the weather service says. In eastern Massachusetts 24 to 30 inches is likely.

Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., expect a "very heavy" snowfall rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour, the weather service says. Tiverton has already received 5 inches of snow, according to a spotter.

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This will be updated as additional announcements are made.

Portsmouth Police remind you to clean snow off your car — it's the law

Snow removal will be 'significant multi-day' process in Newport

The city of Newport in a social media post Saturday night said it is currently preparing for a significant multi-day snow removal process."

"Newport’s narrow streets and compact neighborhoods pose a significant challenge whenever a storm of this magnitude impacts the area and we do anticipate cleanup to continue into the work week."

The National Weather Service reported 21 inches fell in Newport on Saturday.

Some RIPTA routes being detoured Sunday morning

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority says eight routes are on detour Sunday due to winter weather conditions. Routes 13, 18, 21, 27, 55, 56, and 87 are currently on detour. Riders may expect some delays on all routes due to weather conditions and are advised to use extreme caution at bus stops due to decreased visibility and slippery conditions. RIPTA says it apologizes for the inconvenience.

RIPTA to resume regular service Sunday

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced that it will run regular service on Sunday, Jan. 30, following the suspension of service Saturday due to a travel ban. Riders may experience some delays or detours due to slippery road conditions or streets still being cleared. They are also advised to use extreme caution at bus stops. The safety of passengers and employees is RIPTA’s top priority and the transit authority thanks customers for their patience.

Passengers are strongly advised to monitor news reports, check www.RIPTA.com, and RIPTA’s social media outlets (Facebook @RideRIPTA,Twitter @RIPTA_RI) for service advisory updates, in addition to signing up for email alerts.

Rhode Island travel ban extended for all motor vehicles until midnight

With heavy snow and high winds creating blizzard conditions and treacherous driving on Rhode Island roads, Gov. Dan McKee updated his executive order to expand the travel ban to cover all motor vehicles until midnight. The ban prohibits tractor-trailers and all motor vehicles from operating on all state and local roads in Rhode Island.

The executive order provides exemptions for certain types of emergency response workers. Full details can be found here.

This modified restriction will continue to aid Rhode Island Department of Transportation plow drivers, as well as city and town plow drivers, as they work to keep roadways passable and safe for emergency vehicles. It also will help limit crashes and disabled vehicles.

Any drivers who have to be out, including those permitted under the conditions of the bans, should drive with reduced speed, avoid distraction, and buckle up, RIDOT said in a press release. And if you encounter plows, do not pass them. The safest place in a storm is a safe distance behind plow trucks.

Newport alert tells people to stay inside

Newport officials implored residents to stay indoors in a special weather alert issued at 12:47 p.m.

"Our snowplow crews continue to operate across the City, however visibility is extremely limited and conditions are expected to deteriorate.

"Please be sure stay inside and allow emergency crews to do their work. Do not walk, snowshoe, ski, or drive on public roadways until the storm subsides."

According to a public measurement supplied to the National Weather Service, 13 inches of snow was measured in Newport at 11:30 a.m.

Weather Channel providing updates from Newport

RITBA closes bridges in Newport County in compliance with travel ban

Due to dangerous winter weather conditions a travel ban is in place on all Rhode Island roads Saturday from 6 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. for tractor-trailers and motorcycles and from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. for all other vehicles. The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, the Mount Hope Bridge, the Newport Pell Bridge and the Sakonnet River Bridge are closed.

During this time, emergency vehicles will be able to access the bridges and will be provided assistance if needed.

Members of the public can check bridge conditions and closures by visiting the website at ritba.org, by calling RITBA at 401-423-0803, or on Twitter at @riezpass.

McKee orders traffic ban, declares state of emergency

With whiteout conditions expected across much of the region, Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency and said vehicles would be banned from Rhode Island roads from at least 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tractor-trailers will be banned from Rhode Island roads from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s got the potential to be dangerous white-out conditions so the number one thing we can do is prepare now so we can stay home Saturday,” McKee said Friday morning during a visit to the Department of Transportation’s maintenance yard in East Providence, as workers loaded sand into trucks nearby.

Rhode Island Department of Health offers tips

With winter weather predicted for Rhode Island this weekend, take some time to prepare by following these tips from the state Department of Health:

Newport

A Parking Ban will be in place beginning at 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28 until 9 a.m. on Sunday. Any motor vehicles parked on snow-restricted streets 30 minutes after the parking ban begins may be subject to tow. A full list of restricted streets can be found on the city's website here.

More: Is Newport County ready to battle a blizzard? Officials share their plans, concerns.

Once the storm passes, residents and business owners are reminded to shovel any sidewalks adjacent to their property within four hours of the storm’s conclusion. Further information about the city’s snow removal process can be found on the city’s website at CityofNewport.com/Snow.

Residents can sign up for the city's Emergency Alert system at CityofNewport.com/Alerts.

• The Waste Management Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29, in anticipation of the storm.

• All Newport Recreation programming has been canceled for Saturday and The Hut will be closed to the public.

• Community Baptist Church will hold no Sunday services. There will be no activities and no soup kitchen.

• The CODAC center will be closed Saturday.

Middletown

• There will be a parking ban from 6 p.m. on Friday until 6 p.m. on Saturday.

• Residents can sign up for emergency alerts here.

Portsmouth

• Parking ban 9 p.m. Friday until further notice.

• For updates online, follow the Portsmouth Emergency and Portsmouth Police pages on Facebook.

• The Portsmouth Free Public Library will be closed Saturday and is expected to reopen Sunday at 1 p.m.

Tiverton

• The Tiverton Storm Shelter is open until Saturday night at 10 p.m., or Sunday morning depending on the conditions. The shelter is located at Tiverton Middle School, 10 Quintal Dr.

Strict COVID precautions are a must. Masks are required inside the building regardless of your vaccination status.

• The Tiverton Public Library and the Union Library will be closed Saturday.

• A parking ban has been put in place beginning at 5 p.m. until further notice.

RIPTA suspends service

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority will suspend all service effective Saturday, Jan. 29, in conjunction with the vehicular travel ban instituted by Gov. Dan McKee.

Service will be reinstated as soon as conditions are safe for RIPTA vehicles to travel. RIPTA will announce when service is reinstated. Passengers should anticipate delays on all routes before and after Winter Storm Kenan due to winter storm conditions.

COVID-19 testing sites closed

Due to the winter storm, all state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29. This includes the vaccination sites at Sockanosset Cross Road and the Rhode Island Convention Center, and all testing sites scheduled through portal.ri.gov.

Additionally, the testing site at CCRI Warwick that normally operates 24 hours a day will close at 6 p.m. today, and reopen at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.

Get a COVID-19 test: Where to go to get a COVID test in Newport County

People with vaccination appointments at Sockanosset Cross Road and the Rhode Island Convention Center will be notified directly by email that their appointments have been canceled. To reschedule, people should visit C19VaccineRI.org.

People with testing appointments at State-run sites will be notified by email and/or text message that their appointments have been canceled. To reschedule, people should visit portal.ri.gov.

Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel closed

In light of the Governor’s state of emergency order, Bally’s will close both of its Rhode Island casinos at 1 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29. It is expected that both venues, Bally’s Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort and Bally’s Tiverton Casino & Hotel, will reopen on Sunday morning, or as conditions allow. A reopening announcement will be issued Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Parking bans in Newport County towns for Saturday, Jan. 29 snowstorm