Storms spawn water spout, flooding

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Severe storms moved through Southern New England Wednesday morning, bringing torrential rain and even a water spout over Narragansett Bay.

In photos taken by Rick LaSalle, Jr. at Quonset in North Kingstown, a water spout could be seen over the bay. (You can see video sent into our newsroom to your left)

• Photos: Fast moving storm
• Forecast: More Storms Possible

According to Eyewitness News Meteorologist Pete Mangione, a water spout is a tornado that forms over water instead of land. It's formed when there's rotation in the storm clouds.

"Water spouts can cause damage if they hit a boat, but generally they don't. They just suck up water," Mangione said.

Torrential rain that accompanied the morning storms also caused street flooding throughout the state during the morning commute.

Mangione said the worst of the storms was over by late morning, but isolated thunderstorms are possible later Wednesday afternoon.