Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in East Providence than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Providence gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #8 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 85 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 Providence’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East 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
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 Providence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Providence, and East Providence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #8 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Providence’s residents live in 10 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 Providence has less expected damage per building than 81% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across East Providence: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Providence flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Providence, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter36 claims · $476K
- Hurricane Bob1 claim · $2K
East Providence is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Providence County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Providence
Disasters that paid out in East Providence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Providence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$103K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding22 households applied for aid$80K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding448 households applied for aid$595K aid approved36 flood claims paid that year
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 East Providence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Providence archive →East Providence and its neighbors
East Providence is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seekonk | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Providence | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Warwick | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 616 |
| Pawtucket | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Barrington | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 314 |
| Providence | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 289 |
| Cranston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 438 |
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 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.
- 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.
- East Providence residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in East Providence
Is East Providence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Providence has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #8 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Providence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in East Providence since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (36).
Is East 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 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 East Providence?
East Providence is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 East Providence?
By FEMA money that reached East Providence, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 448 households applied for aid, $595K approved. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 36 paid, $476K.
Is East Providence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and East Providence’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Providence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East 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.