The National Weather Service issued a report at 5:35 a.m. on Thursday for heavy rain until 7 a.m. for Bristol and Plymouth counties.
“At 5:30 a.m., Doppler radar tracked an area of heavy downpours from Killingly CT to East Greenwich to Mattapoisett, moving slowly to the northwest,” states the weather service. “Minor nuisance flooding of typically flood prone areas. Difficult travel during the Thursday morning commute, especially in Providence, Fall River and New Bedford.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Providence, New Bedford, Fall River, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Coventry, Dartmouth, North Providence, South Kingstown, West Warwick, Johnston, North Kingstown, Newport, Bristol, Somerset, Portsmouth, Barrington and Middletown.
The weather service states, “Do not drive through flooded roads or underpasses. Avoid low lying areas near small streams.”
Navigating heavy rain: Safety tips for wet roads
Heavy rainfall may lead to flooding if prolonged or if there is excessive runoff. Excessive runoff can be a result of saturated ground and/or rainfall intensity. Follow these recommendations from the weather service to stay safe in heavy rain:
Beware of swollen waterways:
- Do not play in or around culverts or drainage ditches as swiftly moving water that occurs during heavy rain can sweep you away.
Maintain safe driving distances:
- Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.
Slow down and stay cautious:
- If it is raining and the roads are wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and let your speed drop gradually. Never use the brakes suddenly because this may cause the car to skid.
Choose your lane wisely:
- Stay toward the middle lanes – water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
Visibility matters:
- Turn on your headlights.
- Be careful of other vehicles to the rear and in blind spot areas as they are especially difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
Watch out for slippery roads:
- Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
- Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
- Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
