Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hopkinton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopkinton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #34 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1982.
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 Hopkinton 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 Hopkinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopkinton, and Hopkinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #34 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hopkinton’s residents live in 2 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, Hopkinton has more expected damage per building than 89% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Hopkinton: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopkinton flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hopkinton, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter9 claims · $134K
Hopkinton 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hopkinton
Disasters that paid out in Hopkinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hopkinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$17K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$23K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$28K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$363K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$19K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Hopkinton 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 Hopkinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopkinton archive →Hopkinton and its neighbors
Hopkinton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Westerly | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 704 |
| Richmond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Charlestown | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| Hopkinton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| North Stonington | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Bradford | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Hope Valley | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Ashaway | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Wyoming | — | 320 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hopkinton 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 Hopkinton
Is Hopkinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopkinton has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #34 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hopkinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Hopkinton since 1982, $152K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (9).
Is Hopkinton 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 Hopkinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopkinton’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 Hopkinton?
By FEMA money that reached Hopkinton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 25 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $363K to the Town of Hopkinton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 9 paid, $134K.
Is Hopkinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Hopkinton’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopkinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopkinton’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.