Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Exeter faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exeter gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #10 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2008.
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 Exeter’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Exeter 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 Exeter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Exeter, and Exeter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #10 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Exeter’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Rhode Island town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Exeter has less expected damage per building than 76% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Exeter: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Exeter flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Exeter, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $44K
Exeter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Exeter
Disasters that paid out in Exeter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Exeter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$228K aid approved$263K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding11 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2 households applied for aid$28K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$24K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding311 households applied for aid$355K aid approved$318K to the Town of Exeter for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$12K to the Town of Exeter for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Exeter 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 Exeter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Exeter archive →Exeter and its neighbors
Exeter is 2nd of the 8 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 |
| South Kingstown | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 327 |
| East Greenwich | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Richmond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Voluntown | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hopkinton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Exeter 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 Exeter
Is Exeter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exeter has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #10 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Exeter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Exeter since 2008, $45K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (5).
Is Exeter 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 Exeter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Exeter’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 Exeter?
By FEMA money that reached Exeter, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 311 households applied for aid, $355K approved, and $318K to the Town of Exeter for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 5 paid, $44K.
Is Exeter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Exeter’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Exeter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Exeter’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.