Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Central Falls as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central Falls gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #32 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1978.
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 Central Falls 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
Hurricanes
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 Central Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Central Falls, and Central Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B #32 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Central Falls’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Rhode Island town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Central Falls has more expected damage per building than 84% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Central Falls: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Central Falls flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central Falls, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter4 claims · $21K
Central Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Providence County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Central Falls
Disasters that paid out in Central Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Central Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding9 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the City of Central Falls for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the City of Central Falls for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the City of Central Falls for repairs
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$25K to the City of Central Falls for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$27K to the City of Central Falls for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$23K to the City of Central Falls for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$8K to the City of Central Falls for repairs
Providence County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Central Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central Falls archive →Central Falls and its neighbors
Central Falls is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attleboro | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Lincoln | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Pawtucket | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Cumberland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Central Falls | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Valley Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Central Falls 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Central Falls
Is Central Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central Falls has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #32 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Central Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Central Falls since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (4).
Is Central Falls 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 Providence County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Central Falls’ 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 Central Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Central Falls, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 22 households applied for aid, $48K approved, and $27K to the City of Central Falls for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $21K.
Is Central Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Central Falls’ rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central Falls’ 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.