Heavy Rain, Providence
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Providence County, Providence
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.871, -71.579 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind and Heavy Rain in Rhode Island, January 15, 1999
More than 2 inches of rainfall, combined with rapid snowmelt, resulted in considerable urban street flooding. The problem was aggravated by storm drains which were clogged by snow and ice.
Where it happened
Every event with a place to put it; 11 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The toll
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 11
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
What happened
The episode as NWS BOX wrote it up.
More than 2 inches of rainfall, combined with rapid snowmelt, resulted in considerable urban street flooding. The problem was aggravated by storm drains which were clogged by snow and ice. Thunderstorms during the afternoon brought heavy downpours, adding to the localized flooding. Street flooding was most severe in Providence County. In Providence, Branch and Hawkins Avenues were flooded, and a portion of the roadway was washed out. In Johnston, Highland Avenue flooded, along with several nearby homes. In Cranston, Oaklawn Avenue flooded and several cars were submerged.Strong southeast winds gusted as high as 55 mph. A spotter in Tiverton reported a peak wind gust of 52 mph.
The radar
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
Event by event
7 strong wind, 4 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy Rain, Kent
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Kent County, Warwick
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 41.673, -71.579 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Heavy Rain, Bristol
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Bristol County, Bristol
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.706, -71.286 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Heavy Rain, Washington
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Washington County, Exeter
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.397, -71.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Northwest Providence
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Northwest Providence forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.871, -71.579 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Bristol
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Bristol forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.706, -71.286 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Eastern Kent
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Eastern Kent forecast zone
- Reported by
- OFFICIAL NWS OBS.
- Coordinates
- 41.673, -71.579 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Newport
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Newport forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.500, -71.281 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Southeast Providence
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Southeast Providence forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.871, -71.579 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Washington
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Washington forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.397, -71.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong Wind, Western Kent
- When
- January 15, 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
- Where
- Western Kent forecast zone
- Reported by
- TRAINED SPOTTER
- Coordinates
- 41.673, -71.579 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
What these are
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
- Strong Wind
- Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
The same day elsewhere
- Heavy Snow in New York, January 15 to 25, 1999
- Winter Storm in New York, January 15, 1999
- Strong Wind and Heavy Rain in Massachusetts, January 15, 1999
- Heavy Snow in New York, January 15 to 16, 1999
- Winter Storm in New Jersey, January 15, 1999
- Flash Flooding in Connecticut, January 15, 1999
- Winter Weather in Massachusetts, January 15, 1999
- Winter Weather in Virginia, January 15, 1999
- Winter Storm in New York, January 15, 1999
- Flash Flooding in New Jersey, January 15, 1999
- Heavy Snow in Utah, January 15 to 19, 1999
- Flash Flooding in New York, January 15, 1999
More
Every storm in Rhode Island in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Rhode Island, January 1999
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5683934, 5683935, 5683936, 5683937, 5683938, 5683939, 5683940, 5683941, 5683942, 5683943, 5683944.