Gusty winds up to 55 mph and sporadic downpours made for a nasty day around Rhode Island yesterday. The bad weather blew trees and utility poles down and caused scattered power failures and flooding.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch last night for the entire state and eastern Massachusetts until early today. Meteorologists predicted continued thunderstorms with damaging winds.

“The conditions are favorable, but there’s no [tornado] warning. I think we are going to have to wait this out,” meteorologist Walter Drag said.

Around the state, police kept busy. In Providence, the heavy winds tore roofing off a four-story brick warehouse at 50 Ashburton St. and onto the roadway. No one was hurt, but the police closed the block to motorists and pedestrians as a precaution. M.H. Stallman Co., which makes foam insulation products, owns the building.

“There’s no immediate danger. It’s just the roof cover,” said Carlo Testa, a Providence building inspector.

In Warwick, flooding and congestion were reported on Post and Airport roads, and a tree fell on a house on Knight Street, “but the house is still intact,” said Lt. Joseph Coffey. There were no injuries.

— Lisa Vernon-Sparks / (401) 277-7156; lsparks@projo.com