As parts of southern New England are expected to face heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
The flood watch goes into effect at 6 a.m. on Saturday and will remain in effect through 7 p.m. on Sunday. It covers the following areas:
- Rhode Island: Block Island, Bristol, Eastern Kent, Newport, Northwest Providence, and Southeastern Providence.
- Connecticut: Hartford, Tolland, and Windham;
- Massachusetts: Barnstable, Central Middlesex, Dukes, Eastern Essex, Eastern Hampden, Norfolk, Southeastern Middlesex, and Western Essex;
The watch stems from the possibility of flash flooding from excessive rainfall, which is expected to produce 2-3 inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts possible Saturday into Saturday night.
The heaviest rain is expected Saturday afternoon and evening, which may produce urban and poor drainage street flooding as well as sharp rises on rivers and streams. Some river flooding is possible.
Residents are urged to monitor conditions and be prepared to take action should flooding develop. For more information on how to prepare for flooding, visit the National Weather Service’s website.
Flood Watch
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
352 AM EDT Fri Mar 22 2024
…FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING…
* WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE…Portions of northern Connecticut, including the following areas, Hartford CT, Tolland CT and Windham CT, Massachusetts, including the following areas, Barnstable MA, Central Middlesex MA, Dukes MA, Eastern Essex MA, Eastern Hampden MA, Eastern Norfolk MA, Eastern Plymouth MA, Nantucket MA, Northern Bristol MA, Southeast Middlesex MA, Southern Bristol MA, Southern Plymouth MA, Southern Worcester MA, Suffolk MA, Western Essex MA, Western Hampden MA, Western Norfolk MA and Western Plymouth MA, and Rhode Island, including the following areas, Block Island RI, Bristol RI, Eastern Kent RI, Newport RI, Northwest Providence RI, Southeast Providence RI, Washington RI and Western Kent RI.
* WHEN…From Saturday morning through Sunday morning.
* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS… – Two to three inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts are expected Saturday into Saturday night. The heaviest rain will occur Saturday afternoon and evening which may lead to urban and poor drainage street flooding as well as sharp rises on rivers and streams. Some river flooding is possible. – http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.