Major waterways in Rhode Island and the surrounding areas are not in danger of flooding, despite several days of heavy rainfall.
“These rains have been more of a flash flood type of thing, where the urban component, you’ll get some real responses on the streets,” said Bill Saunders, a hydrologist who monitors waterways for the National Weather Service.
“In terms of enough rain across the watersheds to make significant differences on the rivers, it just hasn’t happened yet.”
The National Weather Service monitors the Blackstone River in Woonsocket, Pawcatuck in Westerly, and Pawtuxet in Cranston, which are all prone to flooding. The three rivers did see increased levels after regular rains last week, but all remain well below flood stages.
“For example, right now Woonsocket’s running at just about four feet; flood stage there is nine,” Saunders said. “So it’s on its way up, you might get another foot rise in Woonsocket, but in the near term we’re really not expecting any real problems on our rivers in Rhode Island.”
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook, warning more rain could be headed this way later in the week. It will most likely affect streets or areas with poor drainage.
Mark Schieldrop, spokesman for the Mayor’s office in Cranston said the city has already seen some street flooding, but “nothing too out of the ordinary.”
