Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0For coastal flooding, Charlestown’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlestown gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #30 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then coastal flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 184 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 stands out about Charlestown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Charlestown 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
Coastal 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 Charlestown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charlestown, and Charlestown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #30 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charlestown’s residents live in 2 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, Charlestown has more expected damage per building than 78% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Charlestown: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charlestown flood? Yes: 184 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charlestown, from FEMA’s records: 33.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy67 claims · $2.0M
- The March 2010 nor’easter46 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Bob29 claims · $174K
Charlestown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charlestown
Disasters that paid out in Charlestown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Charlestown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding7 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$46K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$113K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy43 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$218K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs67 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$51K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding315 households applied for aid$578K aid approved$81K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs48 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$25K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs
Washington County has had 17 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Washington County, 2023–2023.
Old photos of Charlestown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charlestown archive →Charlestown and its neighbors
Charlestown is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Kingstown | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 327 |
| Westerly | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 704 |
| Richmond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Charlestown | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| Hopkinton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Carolina | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Bradford | — | 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 Charlestown 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Charlestown residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Charlestown
Is Charlestown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlestown has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #30 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and coastal flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charlestown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 184 claims in Charlestown since 1978, $3.7M in all, or 33.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (67).
Is Charlestown 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 Washington County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Charlestown?
Charlestown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Charlestown?
By FEMA money that reached Charlestown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 315 households applied for aid, $578K approved, and $81K to the Town of Charlestown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 67 paid, $2.0M.
Is Charlestown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Charlestown’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charlestown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charlestown’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.