microburst damage in Rhode Island
Strong to severe thunderstorms quickly tore through parts of Southern New England Tuesday, leaving behind damage in some communities.

Heavy downpours led to street flooding in Southeastern Massachusetts, while the National Weather Service (NWS) put a Tornado Warning into effect in Narragansett after radar indicated the storm was capable of producing a tornado. The storm moved offshore before that could happen, but a microburst left one neighborhood looking like a disaster area.

The NWS sent a survey team to the town, and they found that 60 mile-per-hour straight line winds were mostly to blame for knocking down limbs and power lines.

Residents said the storm only lasted about 20 minutes, but it was strong enough to leave a mark. One said he left his home to get dinner, but had to pull over because he could barely see in front of him.

"It was hail and rain and with the lightning it was very, very vivid, very low, and it just wasn't safe to drive so everybody was pulling over," said Steve Arnold. "There was a line of cars all the way up Boston Neck Road."

An Eyewitness News crew witnessed cars trying to pass through Boston Neck Road, only to be turned around by tree limbs and wires in the way. Just a short distance away on Bedford Circle, sparks were flying where limbs fell on one power line. Crews worked to clear the area so National Grid could turn off power and begin making repairs.

No injuries were reported.