Building collapses as heavy rains leave drivers stranded on area highways

Heavy downpours today caused massive flooding on area highways and possibly a building collapse.

Just before 3:45 p.m., Providence Police cautioned drivers to avoid a list of streets/intersections due to flooding including:

Route 95 95 North and South at Thurbers Avenue, Plainfield Street @ Atwood Street and Hayward Street @ Pearl Street.
Hartford Ave/Heath St
Smith St/Gentian Ave
1 Exchange St
Pleasant Valley Pkwy/Berlin St
620 Huntington Ave
993 Manton Ave
Valley St/Eagle St
1 Sabin Street

Route 95 and Route 10 were shut down as heavy rains had drivers leaving their cars behind as they stood on top of barriers waiting for help.

Just after 4:30 p.m., Providence Police reported a building collapse at 215 Peace Street which brought heavy Police and Fire Department presence. Several surrounding streets and intersections are blocked off. The above photo shows before and after the collapse.

Police say that the building was unoccupied at the time of the collapse and no injuries occurred, but the public is asked to avoid the area.

While Fall River did receive some rain from the storms, it paled in comparison to what other communities west and north received as the damage in Providence indicates.