Photo: Marcbela · Public domainFEMA puts Warren’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warren gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #9 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then coastal flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 99 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 Warren’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Warren 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
Coastal 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 Warren’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warren, and Warren’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A #9 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warren’s residents live in 3 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, Warren has less expected damage per building than 78% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Warren: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warren flood? Sometimes: 99 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warren, from FEMA’s records: 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter31 claims · $260K
- Hurricane Bob11 claims · $53K
- Hurricane Sandy8 claims · $255K
Warren isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warren
Disasters that paid out in Warren itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Warren), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the Town of Warren for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Warren for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$59K to the Town of Warren for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $255K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$71K to the Town of Warren for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding253 households applied for aid$234K aid approved$145K to the Town of Warren for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2005Record Snow$31K to the Town of Warren for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Bristol County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Warren after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warren archive →Warren and its neighbors
Warren is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 145 |
| Swansea | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Warren | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Barrington | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 314 |
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 Warren 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.
- 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.
- 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 Warren
Is Warren at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warren has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #9 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and coastal flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warren flood?
Flood insurance has paid 99 claims in Warren since 1978, $1.6M in all, or 17.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (31).
Is Warren 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 Bristol County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 8.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warren?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warren’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 Warren?
By FEMA money that reached Warren, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 253 households applied for aid, $234K approved, and $145K to the Town of Warren for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 31 paid, $260K.
Is Warren at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Warren’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warren.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warren’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.