Live coverage: 'Active' weather pattern brings major storm to RI

Journal Staff

A massive wind and rain storm moved through Rhode Island, forecast to bring two to three inches of heavy rain and strong winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph, began Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning.

In a briefing before the storm hit, Gov. Dan McKee said 160 line crews and more than 100 tree crews would be strategically placed to offer assistance. State Police will also have extra personnel available, McKee said.

Flooding reported on I-95

The Rhode Island State Police reported flooding on several roads, including Interstate 95 at Thurbers Avenue, Route 10 and Route 146 at Sayles Hill Road.

Flooding has closed a section of Route 146 on exit 5, north and south.

A number of Rhode Island schools reported cancellations or delays for Wednesday.

Beacon Charter High School, Woonsocket, delayed two hours

Chariho Public Schools, Wood River Junction, delayed two hours

Coventry Public Schools, delayed two hours

Cumberland Public Schools, delayed two hours

West Greenwich Public Schools, closed Wednesday

Foster-Glocester Public Schools, delayed two hours

Jamestown Public Schools, closed Wednesday

Johnston Public Schools, delayed two hours

Mount St. Charles Academy, delayed two hours

Scituate Public Schools, delayed two hours

Smithfield Public Schools, delayed two hours

Warwick Public Schools, closed

West Warwick Public Schools, distance learning day Wednesday

Woonsocket Public Schools, delayed two hours

Flooding closes roads in Johnston

Several roads in Johnston have been closed due to flooding, the Johnston police said on Facebook.

The roads include Atwood Avenue, from numbers 1377 to 1463; Memorial Drive, River Drive at LaFazia Drive;

"Please be vigilant during this morning’s commute and watch for flooded roads, debris, or downed power lines," the police said.

Walter Lemus, owner of First Point Sweeping and Maintenance, carries one of the many sand bags, he and his employees, were putting around doors of businesses at the Wanskuck Plaza on Branch Avenue in Providence on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for incoming heavy rain. The plaza flooded during heavy rain in September.
Walter Lemus, owner of First Point Sweeping and Maintenance, carries one of the many sand bags, he and his employees, were putting around doors of businesses at the Wanskuck Plaza on Branch Avenue in Providence on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for incoming heavy rain. The plaza flooded during heavy rain in September.

Highest recorded wind speeds

The National Weather Service reports the following wind speeds across Rhode Island. Bristol 47 MPH 3:38 a.m. RI TF Green AP 53 MPH 1:40

Warwick 42 MPH 2:48 a.m. Rose Island 66 MPH 3:35 a.m. Fogland 63 MPH 2:47 a.m. Beavertail 59 MPH 3:33 a.m. Sakonnet Vineyards 55 MPH 2:31 a.m. Newport AP 51 MPH 3:21 a.m.

Prudence Island 40 MPH 3:24 a.m.

Fox Point 60 MPH 1:48 a.m. 1 WSW East Providence 54 MPH 3:18 a.m. North Central State Airport 44 MPH 1:46 a.m. Providence 40 MPH 1:05 A a.m. Block Island Jetty 60 MPH 12:10 a.m. Block Island AP 56 MPH 3:15 a.m.

Charlestown 56 MPH 1:00 a.m.

URI 56 MPH 3:22 a.m. Ninigret 41 MPH 1:32 a.m.

Very limited power outages reported

As of 7:00 a.m., RI Energy was reporting that 994 customers were without power.

Bridge traffic restrictions lifted

Due to high winds, traffic on the Newport Pell and Jamestown-Verrazzano bridges had been restricted by RITBA as of 1 a.m. However, at 4:18 a.m., the restrictions had been lifted as conditions improved.

Block Island ferries canceled

At 4:30 a.m., the Block Island Ferry announced that all ferries for Wednesday, Jan. 10, were canceled. The reservation office will open at 9 a.m.

This breaking news coverage is being provided for free as a service to the community.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Weather: Storm brings power outages, flooding and strong winds

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