Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Providence faces less hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Providence gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #31 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 289 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 Providence’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Providence 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 Providence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Providence, and Providence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
B #31 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Providence’s residents live in 42 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, Providence has more expected damage per building than 81% of Rhode Island towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Providence has lower expected damage per building than 74% (#103 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $33.5M, is the 334th largest of those 400.
Does Providence flood? Yes: 289 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Providence, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter44 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $500K
Providence 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 Providence
Disasters that paid out in Providence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Providence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding338 households applied for aid$833K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding171 households applied for aid$374K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes196 households applied for aid$368K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$907K to the City of Providence for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$592K to the City of Providence for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$594K to the City of Providence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$854K to the City of Providence for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding920 households applied for aid$814K aid approved$534K to the City of Providence for repairs46 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$382K to the City of Providence for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$182K to the City of Providence 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 Providence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Providence archive →Providence and its neighbors
Providence is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Providence | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Pawtucket | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Johnston | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Providence | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 289 |
| Cranston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 438 |
| North Providence | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
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 Providence 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 Providence
Is Providence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Providence has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #31 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Providence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 289 claims in Providence since 1978, $13.8M in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (44).
Is Providence 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 Providence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Providence’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 Providence?
By FEMA money that reached Providence, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 920 households applied for aid, $814K approved, and $534K to the City of Providence for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 44 paid, $3.0M.
Is Providence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Providence’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Providence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Providence’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.