RI Weather: Flood Watch Starts Friday Afternoon

NARRAGANSETT, RI—Rhode Island is bracing for another round with Mother Nature starting with drenching rains Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service is forecasting a replay of a few days ago with thunder, rain, flooding and gusty wind.

The biggest rainfall is expected to hit the interior, with Coventry and northern Rhode Island picking up an inch and a half. The coast, including Newport and Narragansett, should see less rain with about an inch expected there. Thunder could roll in during the early morning Friday.

The entire state (except for Block Island) is under a flood watch, starting Friday afternoon at 5. The watch, which means there's a possibility of flooding, stays in effect until 3 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to urban flooding, some areas and streams could go over their banks.

Plus, the south coast is also under a wind advisory Friday. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph on Friday. Other parts of southern New England could get a wind advisory on Saturday.

Here is the advisory:

From Friday evening through Saturday afternoon

* A widespread soaking rainfall is forecast during Friday evening
and Friday night. One to 2 inches of rainfall is forecast, with
isolated higher totals up to 2.5 inches.

* This rainfall will bring the potential for significant urban
and poor drainage flooding. Any leaf-clogged storm drains will
exacerbate this potential. The rains may also bring some area
rivers and streams into flood. Although Saturday is expected to
be dry, some area rivers will take longer to crest, hence there
is a chance that some rivers may go into flood during Saturday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on
current forecasts.

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible
Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be
prepared to take action should flooding develop.

In addition...there is the potential a wind advisory will be needed
near the south coast late Friday night. A wind advisory may also be
needed Saturday afternoon for other areas of southern New England.

Late Monday Night and Tuesday...

Another period of heavy rain is possible late Monday night into
Tuesday. This may result in some renewed river flooding. There is
also the low risk that precipitation begins as a period of snow or
ice across the interior...but at this time mainly a rain event is
expected.

Photo and Information Courtesy National Weather Service