Pawtuxet River causes historic flooding

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Heavy rain and storms have left record floods and major problems for many neighborhoods in the West Bay.

Officials from FEMA assessed the damage from the Pawtuxet River flooding on Tuesday. Eyewitness News was with the civil air patrol as they flew over the area to view the extent of the damage.

Governor Don Carcieri has declared a state of emergency for parts of Rhode Island . This could make the Ocean State eligible for federal reimbursement for flood related expenses.

The Pawtuxet River has already caused severe flooding, but the Blackstone River is also above flood stage in Cumberland and Lincoln.

Residents in Cranston are coping with the historic floods. The water reaches up to several feet in some basements.

William McKenna has been a Cranston resident since 1976. McKenna said, “It might be time to move.”

The neighborhood has seen flooding before, but nothing to this extent.

“For most families it’s too much to process,” said another local resident, Corinne Bird.

The flooding damage has left the residents feeling "stuck."

Meteorologist Michelle Muscatello said the Pawtuxet River had crested and begun to recede, but major flooding would likely continue into Wednesday.