Flood Watch Continued for Thursday for All Rhode Island

NEWPORT, RI—The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a flood watch for Rhode Island. The flood watch is in effect for Thursday morning through Friday afternoon. The weather service also has continued the flood warning for the Pawtuxet River in Cranston. The warning means people should not allow children to play near the river because the situation could become life-threatening.

As for the watch, people are urged to monitor weather forecasts and have a plan to evacuate, if necessary.

"A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts," the NWS said. "Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop."

Issued Wednesday at 5:13 p.m., this alert indicated another soaking rain is expected on Thursday bringing the potential for flooding. The communities under the watch include Foster, Smithfield, Providence, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Bristol, Narragansett, Westerly, Newport, and New Shoreham.

Here are the specifics.

"A low pressure system will bring another round of soaking rainfall to southern New England during Thursday into Thursday evening. The potential exists for a widespread 1 to 1.5 inches of rainfall, and locally higher rainfall totals are possible.

"Recent rainfall has caused significant rises in area rivers and streams. The rainfall during Thursday will bring the threat for areas of minor river and stream flooding.

"There is the potential area river and streams to rise into minor flood during Thursday into Friday. In addition, there is the potential for substantial urban and poor drainage flooding.

Per the Hazardous Weather Outlook, here is the latest prediction.

"DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

"Periods of heavy rain are expected today. Some poor drainage street flooding may occur during the day in any heavy rainfall."

"DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

"Another low pressure system will bring periods of heavy rainfall from midday Thursday into early Thursday night. There is the potential for both areal and river flooding, although magnitudes
should be minor at most."

Related Story: Flood Warning Continued for Cranston