Flash Flood — Bristol, Rhode Island

2024-01-10 · near West Barrington, Bristol, Rhode Island

Event narrative

There were many reports of flooded homes and businesses prompting emergency evacuations and even washing away a section of road in Cumberland. In Johnston, residents of the Park Plaza apartments were rescued by firefighters due to flooding from the Pocasset River. In Providence, the West River flooded the Branch Avenue Plaza. A portion of Route 146 in Lincoln was closed in both directions for

about an hour due to flooding and stranded vehicles as was a section of Charles Street in Providence, MBTA commuter rail service from Providence was also temporarily suspended due to flooded tracks.

Wider weather episode

A negatively tilted mid level trough swung through New England while at the surface a low pressure center passed directly over southern New England. This inland runner brought warm air so that all precipitation fell as rain, along with strong winds. There was a good deal of tree damage from the winds and widespread river flooding with many rivers going into major flood stage. Much of Rhode Island received 2 to 5 inches of rain, which combined with melting snow, led to significant flooding of rivers, streams, urban areas, and some homes and businesses. The strongest winds, gusting as high as 66 mph, were reported near the lower end of Narragansett Bay, but wind damage was limited. Minor coastal flooding was observed along Narragansett Bay

and the south-facing coastline during the early morning high tide on January 10. Of greater concern was the amount of beach erosion on the south coast including Misquamicut, where sand and debris closed Atlantic Avenue and produced significant erosion.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.9816, -71.4179)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1150722. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.