Heavy rains that flooded Rhode Island streets continue

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The heavy rain that caused street flooding and forced the closure of major roads in Rhode Island on Labor Day was expected to continue on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Nearly 11 inches of rain had fallen in the city of Cranston by early Tuesday, according to a weather service report, while some other areas of the state got around eight inches of rain.

A flood warning remains in effect in northern parts of the state.

The rain blocked Interstate 95 and other roads in and around Providence and stranded several drivers on Monday, but the roadway was reopened later in the evening, the state Transportation Department said in a tweet.

Agency Peter Alviti said at a Monday news conference that the rain was overwhelming the drainage systems.

“It was simply that the rain came down at an intensity that exceeded its capacity to accept it,” he said.

Even though commuters were expected to take to the roads after the long holiday weekend, Gov. Dan McKee advised people to “avoid unneccesary travel" and not to drive through floodwaters.

In Providence, an unccupied building collapsed, and at Brown University about 30 students were temporarily displaced from their dorm when rainwaters flooded a lower floor.