Newport police are towing vehicles Friday morning as city crews work to clear snow from side streets, with another mandatory parking ban set for Saturday and more snow in the forecast.
Capt. Joseph Carroll, the department’s public information officer, said many vehicles remained parked on streets in the Lower Thames area Friday despite the ban.
“In fairness to our residents, we do not want to tow any cars,” Carroll said.
A cold weather advisory remains in effect for Newport and much of southern New England until 11 a.m. Friday. Wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.
Friday’s parking ban runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lower Thames and Spring Street corridor, affecting 28 streets in the Yachting Village and Fifth Ward neighborhoods.
A second ban takes effect Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kerry Hill neighborhood and on Second and Third streets in The Point. That ban covers more than 40 streets, including Farewell Street, Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard and Marlborough Street from Farewell to Broadway.
Streets will be closed during snow removal operations. Vehicles left on affected roads will be towed.
The city is recovering from last weekend’s storm, which dropped more than a foot of snow on the area. Nearby Tiverton recorded 15 inches, while Middletown saw 12.5 inches.
Conditions will moderate Saturday before snow returns late Saturday night. The National Weather Service forecasts a 60 percent chance of snow Sunday, with 1 to 2 inches possible and wind gusts up to 34 mph.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at CityofNewport.com/Alerts. Additional information is available at CityofNewport.com/Snow.
This story was originally published on January 29 at 3:02 p.m.
