WPRO News

National Grid reports over one hundred thousand residents in Rhode Island are without power Tuesday morning after a fast-moving and heavy thunderstorm caused flooding and downed power lines across the state.

Heavy gusts of wind took down tree limbs across the state, blocking roads and sidewalks.

Accuweather initially reported the weather system would pass to the south of the state; however it shifted quickly and passed through Connecticut.

• See the power outages across RI
• WATCH: Airport Road during the storm (Video by Tim Zoglio)

Warwick Police Chief Stephen McCarthy said all major traffic arteries in the city were blocked starting around 6:15a.m.

“It took me almost 45 minutes to get in here because every route that I tried to take to come into work […] was blocked,” said McCarthy.

Images on social media show streets flooded with water or covered with downed tree limbs and other pieces of debris. Glass also reportedly fell out of an overhang in T.F. Green and a FedEx truck rolled over on the tarmac.

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said in a statement that his city was hit hard but that they are working to clean up the debris as quickly as possible.

State Police Superintendent Steven O’Donnell also said fallen had affected some major roadways.

“There is a tree limb down on the ramp to 295 South […] another tree [limb] is blocking a lane of travel on 95 South near Jefferson Boulevard,” said O’Donnell.

Caller to the WPRO News with Gene Valicenti from across the state reported similar conditions; heavy rain and winds and impressive displays of lightning.

“I have not seen lightning like this in 40 years,” said Al from North Providence.

Accuweather reports Tuesday will be book-ended by storms with another round of thunder and lightning and flooding expected int he afternoon.

Check out our storm gallery below. Email pictures to [email protected]