Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, North Kingstown faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Kingstown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #13 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 177 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 North Kingstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Kingstown 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 North Kingstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Kingstown, and North Kingstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #13 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Kingstown’s residents live in 7 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, North Kingstown has less expected damage per building than 68% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across North Kingstown: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Kingstown flood? Yes: 177 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Kingstown, from FEMA’s records: 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter66 claims · $613K
- Hurricane Sandy25 claims · $636K
- Hurricane Bob17 claims · $123K
North Kingstown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Kingstown
Disasters that paid out in North Kingstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Kingstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$145K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding9 households applied for aid$48K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$95K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$95K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy19 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$110K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $636K
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$66K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding813 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$172K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs69 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$104K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$36K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 North Kingstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Kingstown archive →North Kingstown and its neighbors
North Kingstown is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Portsmouth | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Exeter | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Kingstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| Warwick | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 616 |
| South Kingstown | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 327 |
| Narragansett | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| East Greenwich | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
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 North Kingstown 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.
- North Kingstown residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Kingstown
Is North Kingstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Kingstown has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #13 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Kingstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 177 claims in North Kingstown since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 14.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (66).
Is North Kingstown 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 North Kingstown?
North Kingstown 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 North Kingstown?
By FEMA money that reached North Kingstown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 813 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $172K to the Town of North Kingstown for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 66 paid, $613K.
Is North Kingstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and North Kingstown’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Kingstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Kingstown’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.