Daily Briefing: Rain's not going away. Maybe the flooding will.

ALSO: A rare bird ended up on Cape Cod beach hundreds of miles from its usual home, causing quite a stir. Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu Aug 3 2023 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing. With recency bias in mind, it certainly feels like flash flooding has become an increasing event in Rhode Island this year. For a stretch in early July especially it seemed like storms quickly dumped water leaving some roads unpassable – even if someone tried – and worse homes were being partially flooded. Among the hardest hit was the Pleasant Valley Parkway in Providence, where images of snowplows pushing water became a semi-regular occurrence. As The Journal's Amy Russo reports, the city has already made some short-term efforts to reduce flooding in the area, but there's a bigger problem in play. [Flooding around Kennedy Plaza in Providence forces drivers to detour around massive puddles amid heavy rainfall on July 10.] Flooding around Kennedy Plaza in Providence forces drivers to detour around massive puddles amid heavy rainfall on July 10. Whitman Littlefield/The Providence Journal Approximately 65% of Providence is made up of impervious surfaces, meaning that when the rain falls, most of it isn't going right into the ground. This has Providence officials working to come up with solutions that will help not just during the next storm but those coming in future years. And of course, as residents, there are things you can do to help, and these ideas, aren't just for those living in Providence, but really anywhere in the state. What is Providence planning and how can you help? [Check out Amy's article and learn more.]( This free newsletter is possible thanks to our subscribers. [Support local journalism with a subscription to The Providence Journal.]( WORTH A READ ⚖️ [Donald Trump never thought he would return to Washington like this.]( Under indictment. 🐦 [A rare bird ended up on Cape Cod beach hundreds]( of miles from its usual home, causing quite a stir. 📰 In the wake of the CD1 signature scandal, [RI's Secretary of State wants to change the law.]( [Today's Weather]( 🌤️ Mostly sunny. Highs in the low-80s. TOP STORIES [Why Westerly fears losing shoreline access at Watch Hill Lighthouse]( [The Watch Hill Lighthouse is a standout against the sky.]( The scenic peninsula also offers prime views of Taylor Swift's house. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [A meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in Spruce Knob, W.Va.]( [Perseid meteor shower will peak Aug. 13 in RI. What to know.]( The moon will be a waning crescent at the peak of the meteor shower, making for better viewing this year. [READ MORE]( [Water lines are installed in a neighborhood in Burrillville in 2019 after its drinking water was contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foam.]( ['Do not drink' orders are issued for 3 RI water systems]( The chemicals have been linked to cancers, low birth weights and hormonal problems. [READ MORE]( [Nick Alahverdian is led into Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday morning, 11/7/2022]( [Judge: Alahverdian can be extradited to US to face rape charges]( After months of tolerating Alahverdian’s delaying antics and wild courtroom explanations, Sheriff Norman MacFadyen delivered his ruling . [READ MORE]( [Providence vs. URI, men's basketball, Dec. 3, 2022]( [PC, URI basketball sign 10-year deal]( The teams will play each season for the next 10 years, under a first-of-its-kind agreement. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don’t miss out! We’re always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. [Unlock news for $1]( [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( Follow Us Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback](