News Summary
A powerful storm swept through Rhode Island, leaving over 49,500 residents without power and causing severe damage. The storm produced wind gusts up to 59 mph and led to significant flooding and fallen trees, particularly in Barrington and Cranston. Emergency services are responding to numerous incidents, including a partial building collapse in Massachusetts. Planned Fourth of July fireworks shows are being postponed due to safety concerns, while restoration efforts by Rhode Island Energy are ongoing as the storm is expected to clear soon.
Rhode Island – A powerful storm swept through the region, causing extensive damage and leaving thousands without power. As of 11 p.m., approximately 49,500 customers of Rhode Island Energy were reported to be without electricity, with significant outages occurring in the towns of Barrington and Cranston. The storm not only created power disruptions but also resulted in a cascade of reports detailing fallen trees and severe flooding.
In Barrington, strong winds led to a large tree toppling onto a garage in the Bay Spring Avenue area, highlighting the severity of the storm. Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins indicated that the storm had resulted in over 70 trees being downed throughout the city. Additionally, East Providence experienced severe flooding, exacerbated by the heavy rain that fell during the storm.
The storm was characterized by wind gusts in Providence reaching up to 59 miles per hour, creating hazardous conditions throughout the state. In Fall River, Massachusetts, a partial building collapse occurred, blocking a road on Bank Street. The storm’s impact extended beyond Rhode Island, with about 45,000 customers in Massachusetts also without power.
The weather event led to safety concerns regarding planned Fourth of July fireworks shows across many cities and towns. Multiple municipalities postponed their celebrations, and the town of Bristol had to cancel its Thursday night fireworks show. Instead, they had to light them for safety reasons, a decision made in the wake of the storm’s intensity.
The storm system broke out shortly after 7 p.m., delivering a combination of strong winds, heavy rain, and large hail. Meteorologists had initially forecasted between 1.5 to 3 inches of rain, along with wind gusts reaching 40 to 50 miles per hour along the coastal areas of Rhode Island. Minor coastal flooding was also anticipated due to the storm conditions.
The National Weather Service categorized the storm as a Nor’easter, a type of storm commonly associated with heavy precipitation, whether rain or snow, high winds, and turbulent seas. As the storm continued to develop, residents remained cautious, with authorities urging them to stay safe and away from downed power lines and flooded areas.
Fortunately, forecasts indicate that the storm is expected to clear by Friday morning, with only a few lingering showers likely to remain into the afternoon before tapering off. The outlook for the weekend suggests a predominantly dry climate, albeit unseasonably cool, with temperatures expected to hover in the upper 60s to low 70s on Monday, May 26.
The severe weather conditions highlight the vulnerability of coastal regions during summer storms. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about updates and safety advisories as the aftermath of the storm continues to unfold. Service restoration efforts are already underway, with Rhode Island Energy dedicated to restoring power to affected areas as quickly as possible.
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Additional Resources
- GoLocalProv: Storm Sweeps Through RI
- Wikipedia: Nor’easter
- WPRI: Weather Now for Thursday
- Google Search: Rhode Island Weather Reports
- Patch: Severe Thunderstorm Watch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Storm
- Turn to 10: Severe Storms Hit Southern New England
- Google News: Severe Weather New England
- NBC Boston: New England Storm Damage
