Photo: SusImposter49 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts South Kingstown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Kingstown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #16 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 327 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 South Kingstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South 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 South Kingstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Kingstown, and South Kingstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #16 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South 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, South Kingstown has less expected damage per building than 59% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across South Kingstown: $7.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Kingstown flood? Yes: 327 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Kingstown, from FEMA’s records: 23.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy131 claims · $4.9M
- The March 2010 nor’easter59 claims · $782K
- Hurricane Bob14 claims · $50K
South Kingstown 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Kingstown
Disasters that paid out in South Kingstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of South Kingstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$68K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$63K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$164K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy15 households applied for aid$639 aid approved$235K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs131 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$128K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $12K
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding74 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$358K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs61 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$71K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$31K to the Town of South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Kingstown archive →South Kingstown and its neighbors
South Kingstown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Kingstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| South Kingstown | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 327 |
| Narragansett | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| Richmond | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Charlestown | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 184 |
| Narragansett Pier | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Wakefield-Peace Dale | — | 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 South 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in South Kingstown
Is South Kingstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Kingstown has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #16 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Kingstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 327 claims in South Kingstown since 1978, $7.6M in all, or 23.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (131).
Is South 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 South Kingstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Kingstown’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 South Kingstown?
By FEMA money that reached South Kingstown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 74 households applied for aid, $85K approved, and $358K to the Town of South Kingstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 131 paid, $4.9M.
Is South Kingstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and South Kingstown’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Kingstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South 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.