RI official says no immediate threat from dam; dozens of businesses flooded downstream

RI official says no immediate threat from dam

WEST WARWICK, R.I. — The head of Rhode Island’s emergency management agency says there is no immediate threat that a dam on a flooded river in West Warwick will fail.

J. David Smith said Monday that officials are evaulating whether boards along the top of the private dam should be removed to relieve pressure.

The National Weather Service says the Pawtuxet River reached a record flood level of nearly 15 feet as of Monday afternoon.

Smith said the primary concern of emergency officials is that the river level could continue to rise, putting more pressure on the dam.

Downstream, the river has already flooded about 40 businesses and partially submerged 500 vehicles.