Flash Flood Warning Issued As Heavy Rain Soaks Bristol, Plymouth Counties: MA Weather Alert

A line of strong thunderstorms is producing torrential rainfall and flash flooding across parts of Massachusetts and southern New England this afternoon. Multiple Flash Flood Warnings remain in effect, including portions of southeastern Massachusetts and southern Connecticut.

In southeastern Bristol County and south central Plymouth County, Massachusetts, a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. Local law enforcement reports thunderstorms producing heavy rain, with 1 to 2 inches of rain already fallen and additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches possible. Rainfall rates may reach 1 to 2 inches per hour, creating ongoing or imminent flash flooding.

Communities at risk include: New Bedford, Fall River, Dartmouth, Marion, Wareham, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Freetown, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

A second Flash Flood Warning continues for Bristol County, Massachusetts, along with parts of Rhode Island, including Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington counties.

At 11:40 a.m., radar indicates 1 to 2 inches of rain has fallen, with another 1 to 2 inches possible. Areas impacted include: Providence, Warwick, Cranston, East Providence, Coventry, North Providence, South Kingstown, West Warwick, Johnston, North Kingstown, Newport, Bristol, Somerset, Portsmouth, Barrington, Middletown, Narragansett, Swansea, Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Milford, Shelton, New Canaan, Fairfield, Greenwich, Stratford, Trumbull, Westport, Darien, Monroe, Wilton, Weston, Redding and Easton.

The National Weather Service warns that flooding may affect small streams and creeks, urban areas, highways and streets, underpasses and poor drainage and low-lying areas

Residents should avoid flooded roads and never drive through standing water.

Anyone encountering flooding should move to higher ground when necessary and report flooding to local emergency officials when it is safe to do so.