Photo: Swampyank at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Jamestown, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamestown gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Jamestown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jamestown 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
Coastal flooding
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 Jamestown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jamestown, and Jamestown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #1 of 38 in Rhode Island; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jamestown’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, Jamestown has less expected damage per building than 100% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $926K a year in losses across Jamestown: $831K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jamestown flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jamestown, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter12 claims · $123K
- Hurricane Bob4 claims · $12K
- Hurricane Sandy4 claims · $63K
Jamestown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newport County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jamestown
Disasters that paid out in Jamestown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jamestown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$164K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2 households applied for aid$202K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $63K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$55K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding188 households applied for aid$222K aid approved$153K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$10K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$26K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Newport 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 Jamestown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jamestown archive →Jamestown and its neighbors
Jamestown has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Newport | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 232 |
| Middletown | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Portsmouth | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| North Kingstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| Narragansett | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| Melville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Jamestown 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Jamestown
Is Jamestown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamestown has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (22%). 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 Jamestown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Jamestown since 1978, $295K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (12).
Is Jamestown 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 Newport County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jamestown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jamestown’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 Jamestown?
By FEMA money that reached Jamestown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 188 households applied for aid, $222K approved, and $153K to the Town of Jamestown for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 12 paid, $123K.
Is Jamestown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Jamestown’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jamestown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jamestown’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.