Two tornadoes touched down in Rhode Island on Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service, leaving downed trees and powerlines in their wake.
One tornado ran through the Smithfield-Johnston line and another was spotted in Scituate, according to NWS meteorologist Matthew Belk.
There is “extensive damage” in the area of Peck Hill Rd. in Johnston, Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. said on social media.
At 8:36 Friday morning the weather service issued a tornado warning for Providence, Pawtucket and Attleboro, Mass., urging people to find shelter immediately. A short time later, Providence residents heard tornado sirens.
Rhode Island Energy said thousands of customers lost power Friday morning. By noon, much of the power had been restored, though it listed roughly 11% of its nearly 14,000 customers in Johnston with their power out.
The weather service expects to survey the tornadoes’ paths and study weather data to determine more about the storms. It predicts more rain, and possibly thunderstorms, Friday.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
