Storm rolls over R.I. causing power outages, threatening flooding

PROVIDENCE –  High wind warnings and flood advisories have been issued for all of Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., by the National Weather Service, as a nor’easter rolls over the East Coast of the United States. The flood warning is in effect until 1:15 a.m. Saturday, while the high wind warning is in effect until 10 a.m. Saturday.

Winds are expected to range from 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts of up to 75 miles per hour.

The wind has been so strong that traffic over the Newport Pell Bridge was stopped after a truck tipped over Friday due to the high winds.

National Grid reported that as of 5:45 p.m. Friday, 126,044 Rhode Island customers were affected by power outages, with 425 active outages. In Bristol County, Mass., there were 49,716 customers affected.

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The R.I. Emergency Management Agency is advising Rhode Islanders to prepare for power outages, particularly with wet snow expected later in the day.

As of 1:20 p.m. Friday, over 50 flight arrivals and departures at T.F. Green Airport had been cancelled.

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority commuter rail had been delayed for two hours earlier Friday morning by a downed tree but service has since resumed.

The NWS has also issued a winter weather advisory for all of Rhode Island and Bristol County, Mass., from 5 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday.

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.