Roads Flooded, Closed After Ida Drops Over 5 Inches Of Rain On RI

NEWPORT, RI — The remnants of Hurricane Ida — now a tropical depression — swept across southern New England overnight, dropping several inches of rain on Rhode Island in just a few hours and making roads impassable in many areas of the state.

Early reports from the National Weather Service show parts of the state got more than five inches of rain, considerably more than the September monthly average of 3.92 inches.

Late Wednesdayy night, the NWS issued a statewide tornado watch for Rhode Island, which was in place until 7 a.m. A special marine warning for high surf in Block Island Sound was issued as well, along with extending the nearly statewide flash flood warning until 9 a.m. Thursday.

Road Closures

Early Thursday morning, police departments across the state posted warnings for drivers of closed roads. Southern Rhode Island and the East Bay were particularly affected, and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority warned rider that service could be interrupted throughout the morning. Here's a look at some of the road closures reported throughout the morning due to flooding and other storm-related damage.

Bristol

• Mount Hope area
• Thames Street
• Chestnut Street
• Washington Street

South Kingstown

• Columbia Street between Kingstown Rd. and Church St.
• Spring Street between Kingstown Rd. and Church St.
• Sections of Pond Street
• Saugatucket Road at Rose Hill Road and Broad Rock Road
• Stony Fort Road near 221
• Kersey Road
• Robinson Street from Charles Street to Prospect Avenue
• Peace Dale rotary area
• Route 138 from Upper College Road to the Richmond town line
• Several roads in the Middlebirdge and Matunuck areas

Newport

• Memorial Boulevard
• Third Street
• Newport Pell Bridge: open, but only accessible from the Admiral Kalbfus route heading back from Newport. The rotary at JT Connell Highway and Farewell Street were flooded.

"Do not attempt to drive around barricades or officers on posts right now you will not make it through," Bristol police wrote on Facebook Thursday morning.

Even if water on the road appears to be shallow, do not attempt to drive or walk through flooded roads. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, just six inches of water can carry away an adult, while 12 inches can sweep away a small car.