NEW: Governor Chafee Declares State of Emergency

NEW: Governor Chafee Declares State of Emergency

Governor Lincoln Chafee has declared a state of emergency as Rhode Island prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Light rain and wind is expected to begin this afternoon as the storm is projected to worsen overnight and into Monday morning. According to GoLocalProv meteorologist John Ghiorse, Rhode Island can expect to see wind gusts in the range of 40-70 mph much of the day tomorrow along with severe coastal and beach battering.

Widespread power outages are likely. A tidal storm surge of 3-5 feet late Sunday and Monday evening likely will cause considerable flooding along the coast and around Narragansett Bay. The state will see bands of heavy rain but the heaviest rain should occur to our west through New York and New Jersey.

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