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Dunlap-Wheeler Park, Middletown Rhode IslandPhoto: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0
A+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Middletown · FEMA

FEMA puts Middletown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #4 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1978.

River and rain flooding 76%Hurricanes 18%Earthquakes 3%

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

less than 98%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#4 of 38 in Rhode Island
Hazard risk
A+#4 of 38
in Rhode Island · lower than 98% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
76% of expected building damage
Flood claims
37
paid since 1978 · $375K
Flooded more than once
3
properties
Flood insurance
15% off
Community discount (class 7)

What stands out about Middletown’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 98% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.15% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns Middletown residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7).Remembers 20109 flood claims were paid for 2010 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Middletown 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

76%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area

Hurricanes

18%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 5 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Tornadoes Strong wind Coastal flooding Ice storms Winter storms Lightning Hail Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
AvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Middletown’s grade

River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middletown, and Middletown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Middletown sits
Middletown
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A+ #4 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Middletown’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding76%Hurricanes18%Earthquakes3%Everything else3%

The typical Rhode Island town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Middletown has less expected damage per building than 92% of Rhode Island towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Middletown: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Middletown covers 5 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Middletown flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middletown, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 1 claim1979: 0 claims1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 1 claim1985: 1 claim1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 6 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 3 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 1 claim2006: 1 claim2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 9 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 5 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 1 claim2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 1 claim2019: 0 claims2020: 3 claims2021: 2 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 1 claim2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199120102012
19782026
Biggest named events
  • The March 2010 nor’easter9 claims · $30K
  • Hurricane Bob6 claims · $69K
  • Hurricane Sandy5 claims · $123K
37
paid claims since 1978
$375K
paid to owners
3
homes flooded more than once
$10K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
Community discount15% off flood insurance

Middletown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Newport County.
Disasters

20 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middletown

Disasters that paid out in Middletown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Middletown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$95K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  2. 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$47K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  3. 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$38K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  4. 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$117K to the Town of Middletown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  5. 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  6. 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
Show all 20
  1. 2012Hurricane Sandy9 households applied for aid$143K to the Town of Middletown for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $123K
  2. 2011Tropical Storm Irene$74K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  3. 2010Severe Storms and Flooding155 households applied for aid$128K aid approved$73K to the Town of Middletown for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2008Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  5. 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  6. 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$4K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  7. 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  8. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$111K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  9. 2005Record Snow$5K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  10. 2005Record Snow$3K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  11. 2005Record Snow$68K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  12. 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$4K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  13. 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
  14. 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Middletown for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MiddletownNewport County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Middletown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Middletown archive →
Next door

Middletown and its neighbors

Middletown is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Newport East: not gradedPortsmouth: hazard risk A+Newport: hazard risk A+Melville: not gradedJamestown: hazard risk A+Newport EastPortsmouthNewportMelvilleJamestownMiddletown
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
JamestownA+among the lowest damageriver and rain flooding36
NewportA+among the lowest damageriver and rain flooding232
MiddletownA+less damage than 98%river and rain flooding37
PortsmouthA+less damage than 97%river and rain flooding138
Newport East—a Census area inside a town; graded with the town
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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Middletown faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
  • Middletown residents get 15% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Middletown

Is Middletown at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #4 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Middletown flood?

Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Middletown since 1978, $375K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (9).

Is Middletown 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 Middletown?

Middletown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.

What was the biggest storm in Middletown?

By FEMA money that reached Middletown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 155 households applied for aid, $128K approved, and $73K to the Town of Middletown for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 9 paid, $30K.

Is Middletown at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Middletown’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middletown.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middletown’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.