Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Lincoln faces less hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #22 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1979.
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 Lincoln’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lincoln 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 Lincoln’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lincoln, and Lincoln’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #22 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lincoln’s residents live in 4 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, Lincoln has more expected damage per building than 57% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Lincoln: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lincoln flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lincoln, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter8 claims · $482K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $52K
Lincoln 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lincoln
Disasters that paid out in Lincoln itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lincoln), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding86 households applied for aid$358K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding53 households applied for aid$194K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes68 households applied for aid$333K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$71K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$101K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$80K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$123K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding307 households applied for aid$406K aid approved$506K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$73K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$45K to the Town of Lincoln 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 Lincoln after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lincoln archive →Lincoln and its neighbors
Lincoln 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithfield | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Lincoln | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Cumberland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| North Smithfield | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Central Falls | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| North Providence | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
| Valley Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Cumberland Hill | — | 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Is Lincoln at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lincoln has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #22 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lincoln flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Lincoln since 1979, $2.6M in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (8).
Is Lincoln 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 Lincoln?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lincoln’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 Lincoln?
By FEMA money that reached Lincoln, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 307 households applied for aid, $406K approved, and $506K to the Town of Lincoln for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 8 paid, $482K.
Is Lincoln at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Lincoln’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lincoln.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lincoln’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.