Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, East Greenwich faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Greenwich gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #20 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 59 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 East Greenwich’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Greenwich 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 East Greenwich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Greenwich, and East Greenwich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #20 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Greenwich’s residents live in 3 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, East Greenwich has more expected damage per building than 51% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across East Greenwich: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Greenwich flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Greenwich, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter17 claims · $138K
- Hurricane Bob3 claims · $104K
East Greenwich 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 East Greenwich
Disasters that paid out in East Greenwich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Greenwich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$108K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding15 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$84K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$63K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$78K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$96K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $23K
Show all 9
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$159K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding833 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$422K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$32K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs13 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 East Greenwich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Greenwich archive →East Greenwich and its neighbors
East Greenwich is 5th of the 6 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 |
| Exeter | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Kingstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| Warwick | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 616 |
| East Greenwich | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| West Warwick | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
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 East Greenwich 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 East Greenwich
Is East Greenwich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Greenwich has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #20 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Greenwich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in East Greenwich since 1978, $524K in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% 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 (17).
Is East Greenwich 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 East Greenwich?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Greenwich’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 East Greenwich?
By FEMA money that reached East Greenwich, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 833 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $422K to the Town of East Greenwich for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 17 paid, $138K.
Is East Greenwich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and East Greenwich’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Greenwich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Greenwich’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.