Heavy rain Monday brings flooding in Rhode Island

Heavy rain caused flooding in parts of Rhode Island on Monday, and the National Weather Service upgraded its flood watch to a flood warning.

"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," the weather service said in its warning. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

Shortly before noon, the weather service said 1 to 3 inches of rain had already fallen and another 1 to 3 inches was possible.

The weather service said the following cities and towns would be among those flooded: Providence, Warwick, Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, West Warwick, North Kingstown, Cumberland, Coventry and Smithfield.

Route 10 at Union Avenue in Cranston was closed for a time due to flooding and the state police were helping stranded motorists, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The weather service received reports of flooding on Park Avenue in Cranston, as well as Pleasant Valley Parkway and Narragansett Avenue in Providence.

Flooding was also reported in Downtown Providence.

"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," the weather service says.

"Thunderstorms will have the potential to produce rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, which will elevate the risk of urban and street flooding along with localized flash flooding," the weather service says.

A flash flood warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or happening; a watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding, according to the weather service

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Heavy rain brings flash flooding in RI: What to know