Providence Flooding Forces Raft Rescues, Displaces Students

PROVIDENCE, RI — Drivers on Providence highways got a lot more than they bargained for on Monday, and flash flood conditions proved dangerous on roadways throughout the city.

I-95 North and South at Thurbers Avenue was flooded, and the photos posted to social media showed cars taking on water at dangerous levels. Parts of Route 10, in addition to Route 95, were also closed.

The roadways are back open on Tuesday, but there are still conditions that need dealing with, and that are impacting residents. Photos from Olneyville show nuisance flooding of at least a few inches as of Tuesday morning.

A Providence building collapsed on Peace Street during the downpour. The Providence Police Department first announced that Hayward Street at Pearl Street was flooded, later providing an update that 215 Peace Street had collapsed. No one was inside at the time, and no one was injured, police said.

Patch had reports on the building collapse on Sunday, here's what else to know:

Brown University Students Displaced

ABC6 reports that about 30 students at Brown University were displaced due to flooding in the first floor of a residence hall at Keeney Quad. A spokesperson for Brown told ABC that the issue was temporary, and university staff was working to assess damage and clear the residence hall so students could return.

Cars Stuck, Rafts Needed

ABC6 also reported that officials needed rafts to rescue drivers stuck in the flooding on Charles Street, near the Cadillac Lounge.

Pleasant Valley Parkway Rescue

WPRI reported the story of Rodolfo Flores, whose Monday afternoon nap quickly transitioned into a heroic moment.

Flores lives on Pleasant Valley Parkway, an area where major flooding took place on Monday. When he looked out his window, he saw a submerged car and heard screams. Then he jumped into action to rescue a driver that was stuck inside the car. Read more here.

Rainfall Totals

The National Weather Service in Boston shows that parts of Providence received as much as nine inches of rain, while other parts of the city received over six.

A flood watch is still in place until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, while a flood warning is set until 11 a.m.

Here's the forecast for the next few days:

Today

Rain. High near 66. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight

Rain likely, mainly before 10pm, then a chance of showers after 11pm. Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday

A chance of showers. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night

A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind 3 to 6 mph.