Rhode Island rivers kept rising after Monday's storm, leaving roads and businesses flooded

Even as the rain and wind moved out in the wake of Monday's torrential, gusty storm, the threat of river flooding continued Tuesday in some areas.

The Pawtuxet River in Cranston reached the major flood stage Tuesday, cresting at 13.39 feet, sending floodwaters into the streets in Cranston and Warwick.

In Pawtuxet Cove, docks were ripped apart by the roaring river. The water level crept up the parking lot of the Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet function hall in Cranston, submerging nearby walking trails.

In Cumberland, the Hotel for Homeless Dogs animal shelter had to be evacuated by kayak after it was flooded by the Blackstone River.

It will take a while for the ocean to settle down. A small craft advisory is posted for waters along the coast, with waves of 6 to 11 feet expected and wind gusting up to 25 knots. The Block Island Ferry, which canceled runs Monday, said it expected to resume trips Tuesday.

Fewer than 5,000 Rhode Islanders were without power Tuesday afternoon as the state recovered from Monday's powerful storm.

For a time Monday, well over 30,000 Rhode Island residents were without power. In anticipation of the power problems, Rhode Island Energy said it brought in hundreds of extra workers to restore power.

The storm dropped several inches of rain on Rhode Island, flooding roads and parking lots, and delivered winds in excess of 50 mph that knocked down trees, damaged buildings and kicked up surf that blew across coastal roads.

Where in RI were the strongest wind gusts?

A gust of 68 mph was recorded in Barrington on Monday, the strongest reported in the Ocean State, according to the National Weather Service. The agency also received reports of gusts reaching 64 mph in Newport, 59 mph at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick and 55 mph on Block Island.

What town had the most rain?

Smithfield received the heaviest rainfall, with 4.72 inches recorded at North Central State Airport, according to the weather service. At Green Airport, 3.02 inches was recorded.

RI schools still canceled because of flooding, power outages

The storm left some residual problems for schools around the state with several schools closed and on virtual-learning programs Tuesday because of power problems or flooding, according to the state Department of Education.

For example, Cumberland schools and Blackstone Valley Prep were closed because of flooding at Durham school bus yard.

More: Storm knocks out power to thousands in RI, causes travel restrictions and delays

Scituate Public Schools were closed due to the power outage. Varieur Elementary School in Pawtucket conducted classes virtually because power was out. Toll Gate High School in Warwick was also to hold virtual classes through Wednesday.

With reports from Journal Staff Writers Amy Russo and Patrick Anderson

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI weather: Check out the rainfall, outage numbers from Monday's storm