Gas Station Employees Go Above and Beyond During Rhode Island Blizzard
March 12, 2026
During the severe Blizzard of 2026, which covered Rhode Island with three feet of snow, two employees at a Newport gas station demonstrated exceptional dedication. Their efforts ensured that essential services continued despite the harsh conditions.
Krystal Waite, the manager of the Seasons Corner Market, along with assistant manager Anthony Lopez, arrived at their workplace on February 22. Due to the blizzard’s severity, they remained there until February 24, working tirelessly for 36 hours straight.
Photo: Krystal and Anthony / Seasons Corner Market
The duo found strength in each other’s company to endure the lengthy shift. “We stood awake. We bounced off each other’s energy,” said Waite, describing how they managed the lengthy ordeal.
Initially, Waite and Lopez doubted that anyone would visit the gas station amidst the storm. “We thought we weren’t going to have anybody here,” Lopez admitted. However, the situation changed as plow drivers and other essential workers began arriving, seeking refuge from the storm.
Recognizing the need for a respite, Waite and Lopez opened the café, serving hot coffee and offering a warm place for the workers to rest and recharge. “If we weren’t open, they would have had no safe place to go to relax, walk around, or even get gas or food,” Waite explained.
In one instance, a nurse who had just completed a demanding 20-hour shift braved the snow to reach the store. Waite and Lopez arranged for one of the plow drivers to ensure her safe return home.
Throughout their extended shift, the pair maintained their commitment to the community by keeping essential services running. “I couldn’t have done it with a better person,” Waite said, praising her colleague. Lopez added, “It felt good—that was the biggest part. It felt good to help people.”
Their efforts provided a vital lifeline for those battling the elements, highlighting the critical role played by all essential workers during such crises.
