RIDOT preparing for blizzard

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Department of Transportation says it is ready for the snow storm headed toward Southern New England this weekend.

RIDOT is watching the forecast extremely closely and is in touch with the National Weather Service. 

The agency plans to have salt and sanding trucks pre-treating highways across Rhode Island  four-to-five hours before the snow starts to fall Saturday night.

"We have more than 450 trucks that we can put on the highway if we need to," says  Paul Annarummo of the DOT.  "We have 21 salt piles that we'll be loading our trucks with."

Transportation officials are urging Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads during the storm, and to get their Christmas shopping done before the storm hits.

"We would urge everyone to do their shopping early, to get home before the first flakes hit the ground. And if you can't do that we would urge everyone to drive very carefully."

Clich here for the very latest forecast and anticipated snowfall totals.