Prepare for torrential rain in Bristol County on Friday morning

The National Weather Service issued a report at 5:07 a.m. Friday for torrential rain through 6 a.m. for Bristol County.

“At 5:06 a.m., Doppler radar detected torrential rain over Johnston, moving northeast at 20 mph,” the weather service said. “Minor flooding in areas typically prone to flooding.”

Areas affected by the alert include Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Coventry, Cumberland, North Providence, Johnston, North Attleborough, Attleboro, Smithfield, Lincoln, Central Falls, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Scituate and Foster.

According to the weather service, “Do not drive on flooded roads or underpasses. Avoid low-lying areas near small streams.”

Heavy Rain Safety: What You Need to Know

When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions increase. Whether it’s prolonged rain or rapid runoff, it’s essential to be prepared. Here are some valuable safety tips from the weather service to help keep you safe during heavy rain:

Beware of flooded waterways:

• Do not play in or around culverts or drainage ditches, as fast-moving water during heavy rains can carry you away.

Maintain safe driving distances:

• Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.

Slow down and stay safe:

• If it is raining and the road is wet, slow down. Take your foot off the accelerator and gradually reduce your speed. Never use the brakes suddenly, as this could cause the car to skid.

Choose your path wisely:

• Stay in the middle lanes: water tends to collect in the outside lanes.

Visibility is important:

• Turn on your headlights.
• Be careful of other vehicles behind you and in blind spots, as they are especially difficult to see through rain-splashed windows.

Beware of slippery roads:

• Be especially careful during the first half hour after the rain begins. Dirt and oil on the road mix with the water and make the road slippery.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

• Don’t follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your visibility. Also, be careful when passing them; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Pay attention to your windshield wipers:

• Heavy rain can overload windshield wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait out the rain. It is best to pull over to rest areas or other protected areas. If the side of the road is your only option, pull over as far away as possible, preferably beyond the end of a guardrail, and wait out the storm. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.

In case of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in keeping you safe on the road. Remember to keep yourself informed of weather conditions and follow the advice of local authorities for a safe journey.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.