Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Richmond’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #27 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1980.
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 Richmond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richmond 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 Richmond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richmond, and Richmond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B #27 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Richmond’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, Richmond has more expected damage per building than 70% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Richmond: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richmond flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richmond, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter19 claims · $866K
Richmond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richmond
Disasters that paid out in Richmond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Richmond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$25K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding3 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$49K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2 households applied for aid$50K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$64K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding115 households applied for aid$243K aid approved$442K to the Town of Richmond for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$20K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
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 Richmond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richmond archive →Richmond and its neighbors
Richmond is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| South Kingstown | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 327 |
| Richmond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Charlestown | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| Hopkinton | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Hope Valley | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Carolina | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Wyoming | — | 320 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Is Richmond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #27 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 Richmond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Richmond since 1980, $883K in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% 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 (19).
Is Richmond 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 Richmond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richmond’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 Richmond?
By FEMA money that reached Richmond, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 115 households applied for aid, $243K approved, and $442K to the Town of Richmond for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 19 paid, $866K.
Is Richmond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Richmond’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richmond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richmond’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.