Growing Concern About Storm Surge During Next High Tide in RI

(NECN: Tom Langford, Warwick, RI) - In Rhode Island, this storm brought 80 mile per hour winds that took down huge trees. The storm also brought down power lines. And tonight, power outages are the main problem in the state.

The storm slammed ashore in Rhode Island with high waves, powerful winds and a huge ocean swell that battered the coast in places like Narragansett.

When the storm ended, the extent of the damage became clear.

Trees had crushed homes, cars and power lines and electricity was knocked out to more than 250-thousand customers -- that's more than half the state.

"If you don’t need to be outside, stay home. Stay safe, stay with your family. If anything happens, please alert authorities right away,” said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

Officials are urging people to stay off the roads, some of which are flooded, others are blocked by trees and branches

In Warwick, this tree crashed down onto Pam Walsh’s home.

“I thought we had an earthquake, because the whole house shook,” said Walsh.

The tree fell around 6:30 this morning and landed right on top of her daughter’s bedroom… as she was sleeping.

No one was hurt, and Walsh feels lucky.

“It came in her roof. It could have come in over her bed,” she said.

Cleaning up the damage will likely take days.

It will also take days to get everyone’s power back on.

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