News Summary
Over the weekend, Providence and East Providence experienced significant watermain breaks leading to localized flooding and traffic issues. Crews worked overnight to repair the damage, with disruptions affecting major roads in both cities. Residents were advised to stay updated on repair status and to flush their water systems if discolored. Weather forecasts predicting snow further complicated the situation, prompting officials to take precautions for residents navigating icy conditions.
Providence and East Providence Experience Watermain Breaks and Disruptions
Providence, R.I. – A significant watermain break impacted traffic and resulted in localized flooding in Providence and East Providence over the weekend. The first break occurred on Thursday night on Standish Avenue, where eight homes were affected due to flooding. Repair crews worked throughout the night to address the situation, with expectations to complete repairs by Friday morning.
On Friday morning, another watermain break was reported on Providence Road, near Shalom Park Drive in Charlotte. The break caused icy conditions and required the Charlotte Department of Transportation to temporarily close sections of Providence Road. Drivers were urged to find alternate routes, with northbound traffic advised to use Old Providence Road and Sharon View Road, while southbound drivers were directed to utilize Fairview Road and Carmel Road.
As of 6 a.m. on Monday morning, crews continued repairs on one northbound lane of Providence Road while other lanes had reopened for traffic. The Levine Jewish Community Center was forced to close on Friday due to the watermain break, and a small fire occurred around 8 a.m. in the same area, leading to further traffic redirection. Fortunately, firefighters quickly contained the blaze, allowing traffic to resume shortly after.
East Providence Challenges
The watermain breaks also extended to East Providence, where another significant break happened near the intersection of Willett Avenue and Prescott Avenue on Saturday night. Mayor Bob DaSilva confirmed that repairs were successfully completed by 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Residents were instructed to flush their water systems if their tap water appeared discolored, and they were warned not to consume any discolored water until further notice.
Weather Concerns
This series of watermain breaks coincided with forecasts predicting several inches of snow from Saturday night into Sunday, which could complicate the situation even further for local residents and repair crews.
Authorities remain vigilant as they address these watermain breaks, ensuring that all necessary repairs are performed promptly to restore normal conditions.
Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to stay updated on the status of repairs and to take precautions while navigating the icy road conditions, particularly in areas impacted by the recent watermain breaks.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Turn to 10 News
- Wikipedia: Water Main
- WPRI News
- Google Search: Watermain Break
- WCNC News
- Google Scholar: Watermain Breaks
- Turn to 10 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Watermain
- WBTV News
- Google News: Watermain Breaks Rhode Island
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.
