Rhode Island State Police open Route 146 after shutting it down due to flooding, stranded vehicles

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police announced Wednesday morning that Route 146 at exit 5 was reopened after both sides of the highway were closed due to flooding.

The agency said several vehicles were stranded due to to standing water on the highway.

Route 146 reopened at exit 5 after about an hour, but police said to “expect severe traffic delays.”

State police recommended to avoid Route 146 as well as Interstate 95 at Thurbers Avenue and Route 10. The Breakneck Hill Road ramp southbound was closed.

Heavy wind-driven rain and melting snow flooded the region overnight, creating a sloppy Wednesday morning commute.

ABC 6 News saw a car stranded in the water on Branch Avenue in Providence.

Many schools were delayed, and some were even closed, due to area flooding and road closures.

Officials said to never try to drive through standing water and to avoid all areas with flooding.