Old Congregational Church · Photo: Swampyank at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Scituate than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scituate gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #18 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1982.
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 Scituate’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Scituate 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 Scituate’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scituate, and Scituate’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #18 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scituate’s residents live in 2 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, Scituate has less expected damage per building than 54% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Scituate: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scituate flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scituate, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter15 claims · $544K
- The December nor’easter4 claims · $85K
Scituate 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 Scituate
Disasters that paid out in Scituate itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Scituate), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$120K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding12 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes6 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the Town of Scituate for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the Town of Scituate for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Scituate for repairs
Show all 10
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$45K to the Town of Scituate for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$250K to the Town of Scituate for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$27K to the Town of Scituate for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Scituate 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 Scituate after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scituate archive →Scituate and its neighbors
Scituate is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glocester | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Foster | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Scituate | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Coventry | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Johnston | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Cranston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 438 |
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 Scituate 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 Scituate
Is Scituate at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scituate has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #18 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scituate flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Scituate since 1982, $711K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (15).
Is Scituate 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 Scituate?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scituate’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 Scituate?
By FEMA money that reached Scituate, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 37 households applied for aid, $44K approved, and $250K to the Town of Scituate for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 15 paid, $544K.
Is Scituate at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Scituate’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scituate.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scituate’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.