Flooding rains, damaging winds expected in multifaceted system in southern New England

BOSTON – Another multifaceted system is expected to impact southern New England starting Sunday evening.

According to the National Weather Service Boston, a strong storm system will bring heavy rain and high winds to southern New England early Monday. Gusty winds as high as 65mph could down trees and cause power outages. Heavy rain of 3-4” could cause poor drainage and river flooding.

A High Wind Warning is in effect from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday.

South winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected in south coastal Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as Block Island.

Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.

A Flood Watch is also issued for much of Southern New England.

The forecast:

Sunday: A chance of rain, mainly after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Southeast wind around 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 7pm. Low around 51. Breezy, with a southeast wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Monday: Rain. High near 60. Windy, with a south wind 28 to 38 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Monday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Breezy, with a southwest wind 18 to 23 mph decreasing to 7 to 12 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain likely, mainly between 10am and 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

AAA Northeast offers these tips for drivers to protect themselves during the storm:

-Stay home if you can. The safest way to drive in stormy weather is to not drive at all. Avoid unnecessary travel, especially overnight when visibility is lowest.

-Park safe. If possible, avoid parking near trees, power lines or other tall objects that could fall due to heavy winds or lightning.

-Take it slow. Choosing a safe speed is critical to reducing a car’s chance of hydroplaning – and gives you ample following distance so you won’t need to slam on the brakes if the car in front of you stops suddenly.

-Avoid cruise control, which can increase the chance of losing traction in wet weather conditions.

-Wipers on, lights on. Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition to give yourself the best possible vision during a storm. And always keep your lights are on when you use your wipers – it’s the law! Lights not only help you see, they also make you more visible to other drivers.

-Never drive through standing water, especially at night when it’s nearly impossible to tell how deep the water is. The risk is greatest in unfamiliar areas. Just 12 to 18 inches of water is enough for a vehicle to float away. And deep water can get sucked into the engine, causing severe damage that could lead to expensive repairs or a write-off of the vehicle. Don’t feel pressured into driving through flood waters just because other people are doing it.

-Don’t ignore warning signs or roadblocks. Local first responders put them up because people regularly get stranded in those locations.

-Pay attention to emergency weather alerts and take them seriously. A road can become flooded within minutes of a downpour.

-If you end up driving through deep water, your brakes might not perform as expected right away. Gently apply the brakes and brake early and gently to dry them off.

AAA Insurance experts offer these tips for homeowners to help protect their property:

-Put outdoor furniture inside. Bring loose and light objects like patio furniture and garbage cans inside. Anchor objects that can’t be brought inside, like grills.

-Reinforce doors, windows, walls, and the roof. Make sure all openings and crevices are closed, secured, and covered to prevent a strong wind gust from blowing something open and letting the elements inside.

-Clear debris from gutters and drains. Clogged gutters can cause pooling along the roof structure, and debris in the drainage area can prevent water from collecting along the foundation.

-Keep a stockpile of plywood, plastic sheeting, sandbags and other emergency materials.

-Charge your phone, portable chargers, and any other essential items in case a power outage occurs.

-Take pictures of your house, foundation, roof, interior and exterior walls and inside each room to avoid a dispute whether damage is pre-existing.
Know your coverage. Remember that the standard homeowners or renters policy does not typically cover damage to the building or its contents as a result of a flood. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can be purchased from the National Flood Insurance Program through an insurance agent.