News Summary
Seekonk, Massachusetts is experiencing significant traffic disruptions on Route 6 due to downed wires. The westbound side is closed, causing slow traffic on the eastbound lane. Local authorities are on-site to address the issues, which are a result of severe weather following a powerful storm. Residents are advised to find alternate routes and report any further hazards as recovery efforts continue.
Seekonk, Massachusetts
Drivers in Seekonk are being urged to find alternate routes due to significant traffic disruptions caused by downed wires on Route 6. The westbound side of the highway is currently closed at the intersection with Anthony Street, creating a bottleneck and slow traffic conditions on the eastbound lane, where only one lane is open for vehicles to pass.
Local authorities, including the Seekonk police, have reported that crews are on-site, working diligently to repair the fallen wires. Currently, the cause of the wire failure remains unknown, contributing to ongoing safety concerns in the area.
Impact of Recent Storms
The interruptions on Route 6 come in the aftermath of a powerful storm that struck the region on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds that resulted in infrastructure damage across Seekonk. The storm was severe enough to warrant attention from the National Weather Service, which confirmed that a tornado touched down in nearby Rehoboth, while a microburst hit Seekonk.
During the storm, winds in Seekonk exceeded 70 miles per hour, leading to widespread power outages affecting over 10,000 residents in Massachusetts. The severe weather conditions have also resulted in significant destruction at Seekonk High School, where falling trees caused damage to the school’s roof.
Additional Traffic Incidents
In an unrelated traffic incident during the storm, a woman named Regan Moore was involved in a vehicle crash when a wire from a nearby pole fell onto a FedEx truck. Although she was transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, officials reported that no criminal charges would be filed; however, Moore was cited for a marked lanes violation.
The tornado that touched down in Rehoboth was classified as an EF 1, reaching maximum wind speeds of 90 miles per hour and remaining on the ground for approximately one minute. Compounding the severe weather, another tornado touched down in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where it reached maximum wind speeds of 100 miles per hour while tracking through Cumberland and into North Attleboro.
Recommendations for Residents
Residents and travelers are advised to stay updated on traffic conditions and to plan their travel routes accordingly to avoid delays caused by the closures and repairs. Emergency services and repair crews continue to address the aftermath of the storm, working to restore normalcy in the impacted areas, ensure public safety, and clear the roadways of any hazards.
Continued monitoring of the infrastructure will be crucial as the community recovers from this severe weather event and the resulting damages. Authorities encourage residents to report any further issues with downed wires or other hazards as the situation evolves.
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Additional Resources
- WPRI: Downed Wires Shut Down Part of Route 6 in Seekonk
- Wikipedia: Storm
- WHDH: Tornado Touched Down in Rehoboth
- Google Search: Seekonk Massachusetts traffic conditions
- TurnTo10: Serious Crash Reported on Route 6 Seekonk
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Seekonk
- WPRI: RIS Minimum Wage to Surpass MA
- Google News: Seekonk Massachusetts weather damage
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
