A line of severe thunderstorms developed across Long Island, NY and raced toward Rhode Island. These storms caused significant wind damage across Rhode Island resulting in widespread power outages, knocking down a significant amount of trees, and causing massive traffic delays. Wind gusts were estimated to be between 60 to 80 mph, with T.F. Green Airport reporting a wind gust of 67 mph. In fact, these storms caused more power outages (121,000 customers without power) than Hurricane Sandy (107,000)! Some of the hardest hit areas were Cranston and Charlestown, RI.

Thunderstorm Wind in KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:18:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: POTTERVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees and wires on Coventry Hill Farm Road, Indian Trail, Maple Valley Road, and Black Rock Road were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Lightning in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:43:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:43:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMITHFIELD
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A house on Randall Road was struck by lightning, starting a small fire in the basement.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:08:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOPE VLY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree on Bank Street was downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:27:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: APPONAUG
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Automated Surface Observing System at T.F. Green State Airport (KPVD) recorded a 67 mph wind gust.  A few miles away, several trees were downed, blocking part of Interstate 295 near the Warwick-Cranston town line.  At least nine roads were blocked by trees or utility poles.

Thunderstorm Wind in KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:32:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIVER PT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

A tree was downed onto a house and wires onto a car on Burlingame Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:35:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: APPONAUG
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees were downed on Jefferson Boulevard and Landsdowne Street, a couple of them onto houses.  Also, large branches were downed on Boulevard Street.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:40:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARLESTOWN
Magnitude: 72.00 MG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An amateur radio operator recorded an 83 mph wind gust on an anemometer.  A few minutes later reports were received of dozens of trees downed in Burlingame State Park.  This resulted in minor injuries to ten individuals, two of whom were taken to South County Hospital for treatment.  The remainder were treated at the scene by paramedics.

Thunderstorm Wind in KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:42:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIVER PT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees on Ledge Drive were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:47:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:47:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST PROVIDENCE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Wires were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:40:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRANSTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Dozens of streets were blocked by downed trees, including Phoenix Avenue.  A tree hit power lines, snapping a utility pole and burying one family's cars.

Thunderstorm Wind in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:30:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH PROVIDENCE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A tree on Benefit Street was downed, closing the road.

Thunderstorm Wind in BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:50:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: WEST BARRINGTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Several police cruisers were damaged by a falling tree.

Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND
From 04-AUG-15 05:25:00 to 04-AUG-15 05:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WESTERLY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Twenty-five to thirty trees were downed, blocking roads in all sections of town.  The storm also toppled the Misquamicut Business Association's drive-in screen.  The screen is mounted on two metal shipping containers.