Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Coventry than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coventry gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #19 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1979.
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 Coventry’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Coventry 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 Coventry’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coventry, and Coventry’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #19 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Coventry’s residents live in 7 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, Coventry has less expected damage per building than 51% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Coventry: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coventry flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coventry, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter41 claims · $1.1M
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Coventry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coventry
Disasters that paid out in Coventry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Coventry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding330 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$89K to the Town of Coventry for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding119 households applied for aid$391K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$101K to the Town of Coventry for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$177K to the Town of Coventry for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$109K to the Town of Coventry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$76K to the Town of Coventry for repairs
Show all 9
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$181K to the Town of Coventry for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1,778 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$552K to the Town of Coventry for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$68K to the Town of Coventry for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Kent County has had 16 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 Coventry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coventry archive →Coventry and its neighbors
Coventry is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Greenwich | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Foster | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Scituate | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Coventry | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| West Warwick | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| Cranston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 438 |
| Sterling | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Coventry 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 Coventry
Is Coventry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coventry has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #19 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coventry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Coventry since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (41).
Is Coventry 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 Kent County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Coventry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coventry’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 Coventry?
By FEMA money that reached Coventry, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 1,778 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved, and $552K to the Town of Coventry for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 41 paid, $1.1M.
Is Coventry at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Coventry’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coventry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coventry’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.