Angell-Ballou House · Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Smithfield than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #21 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1979.
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 Smithfield 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 Smithfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithfield, and Smithfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #21 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithfield’s residents live in 4 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, Smithfield has more expected damage per building than 54% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Smithfield: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithfield flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithfield, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $163K
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $7K
Smithfield 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smithfield
Disasters that paid out in Smithfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Smithfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding92 households applied for aid$362K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding83 households applied for aid$386K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes36 households applied for aid$99K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$67K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$129K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$73K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$89K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding246 households applied for aid$279K aid approved$127K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$7K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$45K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$1K to the Town of Smithfield 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 Smithfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithfield archive →Smithfield and its neighbors
Smithfield is 2nd 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 |
| Smithfield | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Lincoln | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Johnston | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| North Smithfield | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| North Providence | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
| Greenville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Harmony | — | 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.
Get ready for what Smithfield 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 Smithfield
Is Smithfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #21 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smithfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Smithfield since 1979, $329K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Smithfield 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 Smithfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithfield’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 Smithfield?
By FEMA money that reached Smithfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 246 households applied for aid, $279K approved, and $127K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $163K.
Is Smithfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Smithfield’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithfield’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.