Severe T-Storm Watch Issued For Rhode Island

It's time to pack up those beach blankets, swim into shore, and head for shelter.  The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the region.

The watch will go into effect this afternoon until 9 p.m. for the entire state, according to the watch alert. Thunderstorms hadn't hit the Little Compton or Tiverton region by 3:30 p.m., but the NWS said the storms would be developing from 1 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, gradually becoming more numerous as the afternoon progresses.

Residents should tie up boats and shutter their windows, as the NWS warns that some storms will likely bring strong to damaging winds, as well as large hail with torrential downpours.

According to NWS, the risk of severe thunderstorms diminishes with sunset, but this evening's strong storms will likely continue into the evening. Flash flooding could pose a problem after sunset. A handful of locations could receive as much as two to three inches of rainfall in a short period of time.