New Rhode Island Storm Coming With Snow, Flooding And Dangerous Winds

RHODE ISLAND — A new, messy storm will hit Rhode Island Wednesday, and although it is supposed to bring just a couple of inches of snow, flooding and wind damage could be much more serious.

The new storm system will sweep across northern Rhode Island starting after noon Wednesday, dropping 2-3 inches in Kent County and other parts of the state, according to the National Weather Service. Washington and Newport counties are expected to see heavy rain.

The storm will also bring potentially high winds to the state — especially near Newport, Portsmouth, Narragansett and other coastal communities. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph in southern Rhode Island by Wednesday night.

The weather service also issued a flood watch for all of Rhode Island.

"A period of heavy rain combined with snowmelt Wednesday night into Thursday morning may cause street and poor drainage flooding along with rises on area rivers, creeks and streams. Localized flooding also will be favored where heavy rain falls on clogged storm drains," the weather service said.