Providence Flash Flooding: Mayor Smiley Talks Hurricane Prep In Aftermath Of Storms

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence Mayor Brett Smiley on Tuesday spoke with reporters to address damage, looting at businesses, and future hurricane preparedness, following flash flooding in Providence on Monday.

Firefighters in Providence rescued more than two dozen people after flash flooding caused the West River to overflow and left 25 people stranded at a local shopping plaza. Firefighters arrived and found people trapped in cars and employees and customers stuck inside flooded businesses throughout the shopping plaza near the Route 146 southbound on-ramp on Branch Avenue. The flooding impacted several local stores, including Citi Trends and Dollar General.

As floodwaters created chaos at businesses in the plaza, at least two stores were looted on Monday night, according to Providence police. Smiley, when asked by reporters, did not confirm which businesses or how many were looted. He said it would likely take several days for police to review cell phone videos and store security footage.

"There's lots of security footage to go through," Smiley said in a news conference Tuesday. "There's no world in which we give a pass to anyone who acted illegally last night."

Addressing The Flooding, Potential Hurricane Risks

Smiley said crews are still working to address flood streets as of Tuesday. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is working to clear drainage areas ahead of heavy rain expected Wednesday.

Gov. McKee said Rhode Island Commerce has contacted local businesses affected by the flash flooding. He also said the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency is connecting with residents and businesses affected by flooding to assess damage.

But with Hurricane Lee potentially on course for New England, reporters asked Smiley if the city will be ready given how much heavy rain affected Providence Monday and over the weekend during PVDFest.

Smiley said he's communicated with city, state, and federal agencies to prepare in the event Hurricane Lee effects Providence.

"Providence has trained for years on Hurricanes," Smiley said. "I believe we are as prepared as we can be."

Still, Smiley acknowledged the city has challenges that could increase damage from flooding and hurricanes.

"The state of our groundwater, our reservoirs, our rivers, and streams has the potential to increase damage or outcome of even the mildest hurricane we might experience."

Smiley said he is taking those risks seriously. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers runs a hurricane barrier along the city's river banks. But Smiley said the city invested in street gates in South Providence and near India Point Park and sewer upgrades. Providence has $20 million invested in flood/hurricane mitigation in the city's capital improvement plan, Smiley said.

Smiley said he will continue hurricane planning with state and federal partners and will brief the public next week with a concrete plan.

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