Newport is “just about approaching normalcy,” the city announced Sunday evening, lifting the parking ban, confirming City Hall reopens Monday with regular hours, and announcing trash collection will return to a normal schedule.
The parking ban — in effect since Sunday, February 22 — has been lifted, though the city said temporary restrictions may still be necessary for targeted snow removal. Public Works crews will continue clearing snow while the Utilities Department clears storm drains in advance of rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Dozens of truckloads of snow were hauled off Newport streets and dumped at Easton’s Beach on Saturday as the city’s Rapid Snow Removal operation worked from The Point and the North End to the western edge of Broadway and the Fifth Ward.
City crews and state equipment — including an industrial snow blower deployed Saturday by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation — worked into the overnight hours and are expected to continue Sunday, the city said. Additional streets subject to snow removal will be announced through the city’s emergency alert system.
Saturday’s operation represented the broadest geographic push yet, spanning multiple neighborhoods in a single day. The city reported Friday that more than 85 percent of roadways had been reopened, a number that has continued to climb over the weekend.
Parking ban lifted
The City of Newport lifted its parking ban Sunday evening after eight days. Temporary restrictions may still be necessary for targeted snow removal operations, but the citywide ban is over. No Newport County community now has a parking ban in effect.
The week ahead
Monday will be cold and sunny with a high near 28. The bigger story for recovery is rain arriving Tuesday — 80 percent chance during the day, 90 percent Tuesday night — with temperatures climbing into the 40s. The sustained rain and warming trend should accelerate snow melt significantly. Highs reach the upper 40s by Thursday and 51 by next Sunday.
The city said its Utilities Department will be clearing storm drains ahead of the rain to prevent flooding.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 28.
Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 41. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday night: Rain, mainly before 4 a.m. Low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
Thursday: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 47.
Newport Schools confirmed for Monday
Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain confirmed Sunday afternoon that schools will reopen Monday morning.
“Our streets have been plowed, sidewalks are being cleared, school facilities are ready, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday,” Jermain said.
Jermain asked bus riders to be patient as buses travel slowly and safely, and asked all drivers to be on extra alert in neighborhoods. On Malbone Road, a neighbor has offered the driveway at 34 Malbone Road as an additional bus stop for the week.
The superintendent thanked the community volunteers who answered her Friday call to shovel out bus stops and sidewalks, calling it “a true One Newport effort.” Jermain singled out the City of Newport, Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy and Fire Department Chief Harp Donnelly, City Manager Colin Kennedy and Deputy Mike Caruolo, Public Works Director Bill Riccio and his crew, A1 Plowing, local businesses, Rogers High School’s Green Team led by Emma Pantig ’26, Key Club members, VFW Post 406, Naval Station Newport, and ReNewport for helping spread the word.
What’s reopening Monday
- Newport City Hall
- Newport Public Schools
- Trash collection
- Public meetings
- Newport Recreation programming (check CityofNewport.com/Recreation for schedule)
Ocean Drive remains closed to vehicular traffic until further notice.
