Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Foster than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foster gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #14 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
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 Foster 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 Foster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Foster, and Foster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #14 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Foster’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, Foster has less expected damage per building than 65% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Foster: $905K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Foster flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Foster, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $9K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $10K
Foster isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Providence County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Foster
Disasters that paid out in Foster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Foster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$187K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding36 households applied for aid$175K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Town of Foster for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Town of Foster for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$44K to the Town of Foster for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding101 households applied for aid$99K aid approved$566K to the Town of Foster for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$16K to the Town of Foster for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Foster for repairs
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 Foster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Foster archive →Foster and its neighbors
Foster is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glocester | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| 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 |
| Sterling | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Killingly | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Foster 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 Foster
Is Foster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Foster has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #14 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Foster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Foster since 2010, $20K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Foster 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 Foster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Foster’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 Foster?
By FEMA money that reached Foster, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 101 households applied for aid, $99K approved, and $566K to the Town of Foster for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Foster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Foster’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Foster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Foster’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.