Tropical Storm Hanna, which flooded streets and nearly washed out a race on Block Island, was expected to send more rain and 50-mph winds through the state late last night and this morning.

Worried about a storm surge, Providence officials huddled at the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier late yesterday as gray storm clouds blotted out parts of the skyline.

City Engineer William C. Bombard said he would close the last of three hurricane barriers at midnight, to head off expected three- to five-foot waves driven by high winds.

“We expect the worst part of the storm to come over Providence from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.,” said Mayor David N. Cicilline. Today, residents should avoid fallen power lines and call the Fire Department or electric company about downed trees and lines, he said.

In all, Hanna could dump up to 5 inches of rain across the region. But the fast-moving storm could be gone by noon, said Alan Dunham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton. “By late morning, we could see sun.”

There wasn’t much sun yesterday.

Hanna’s first punch –– a wall of rain ahead of the storm –– poured 1 to 3 inches of rain on the state by 9:30 a.m.

According to Providence Police, the heavy rain flooded Angell, Fulton, Weybosset and Claverick streets. High winds toppled a tree on Pleasant Valley Parkway. In Cranston, the Fire Department reported flooding on Fletcher, Wilbur and Park avenues and on Cranston Street.

On Block Island, only 77 runners participated in the 32nd annual Run Around the Block 15K road race, an event that normally draws 600, police said. Some dropped out because of a reduction in ferry service.

But the storm failed to hobble other events. In Providence, volunteers helped Rhode Island School of Design students move into their new digs. Across town, hundreds of people peeked at the $80-million makeover of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

And in Blackstone Valley, some 500 competitors paddled their dragon boats down the Pawtucket River.

The annual Dragon Boat races started around 9 a.m. under a drizzle, and the crews had to contend with intermittent rain throughout the day. “We had to pump out the boats,” said Patti McAlpine, a dock mistress at the race.

By 5 p.m. several winners were announced. Living Root, a Boston team, won the dragon category and posted the fastest speed. The team paddled 700 feet in 1 minute and 15 seconds.