Rhode Islanders brave the bitterly cold temperatures

January 21, 2019 3:17 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Ice scrapers and salt were absolutely necessary this Monday. If you didn’t have to go anywhere today because of the holiday and haven’t cleaned off your car yet, it’s definitely going to be tough work but State Police say you have to do it.

If you wanted to go anywhere today you had to watch your step.

“It was more like sliding or ice skating to the gym,” says Natalie Otero from Providence.

Sidewalks that weren’t shoveled and streets that weren’t treated are now sheets of ice.

“it’s a little slippery, not much salt out here but its okay,” says Otero.

And when it’s this cold being out for more than just a few minutes is just plain uncomfortable.

“Well its cold. After a certain temperature cold is just cold,” says Chris Suchmann.

Martin Luther King Day means some warming centers were closed and no school anyway but the facilities manager for the Groden Network still has to get things up and running for school tomorrow.

“I’m checking the parking lots, buildings and grounds and vehicles and trying to get a couple of them going that won’t start. It’s so cold that the defroster won’t melt the ice off of the windshield,” says Suchmann.

If you didn’t get to it early enough, cleaning your car might be difficult but it’s a hazard and you can be cited by police if you don’t.

“In addition to that, it’s just common courtesy. We’ve all been driving down the road and suddenly that piece of ice or snow comes off and heaven forbid it hits your car. We do get damaged vehicles and occasionally accidents caused by that so please do clean off your vehicles,” says Corporal Franklin Navarro with RISP.

There were nearly 50 accidents in Rhode Island during the storm. Police say if you have to be out tonight be sure your gas tank is full and phone battery is charged. If you have to pull over for any reason get as far to the right as possible.