On FEMA’s figures, Providence faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Providence gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Providence faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Providence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Providence, and Providence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Providence’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $379K a year in losses across Providence: $303K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Providence flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Providence. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Providence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saratoga County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Providence
Disasters that paid out in Providence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Providence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Providence for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$232K to the Town of Providence for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$173K to the Town of Providence for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$7K to the Town of Providence for repairs
Saratoga County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Providence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Providence archive →Providence and its neighbors
Providence is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galway | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Providence | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Edinburg | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Broadalbin | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Providence faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Providence
Is Providence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Providence has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Providence in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Providence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Providence’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Providence?
By FEMA money that reached Providence, Hurricane Irene (2011): $232K to the Town of Providence for repairs.
Is Providence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Providence’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Providence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Providence’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.