Photo: Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Warwick than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warwick gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #15 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 616 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 Warwick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Warwick 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 Warwick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warwick, and Warwick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #15 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warwick’s residents live in 21 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, Warwick has less expected damage per building than 62% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.9M a year in losses across Warwick: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warwick flood? Yes: 616 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warwick, from FEMA’s records: 16.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter266 claims · $8.5M
- Hurricane Bob47 claims · $352K
Warwick is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kent County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warwick
Disasters that paid out in Warwick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Warwick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding304 households applied for aid$749K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding129 households applied for aid$207K aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$211K to the City of Warwick for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$246K to the City of Warwick for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$364K to the City of Warwick for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$196K to the City of Warwick for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $687K
Show all 9
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$600K to the City of Warwick for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $52K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4,491 households applied for aid$6.8M aid approved$10.4M to the City of Warwick for repairs270 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$228K to the City of Warwick for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
Kent County has had 16 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 Warwick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warwick archive →Warwick and its neighbors
Warwick is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| East Providence | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| North Kingstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| Warwick | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 616 |
| East Greenwich | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Barrington | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 314 |
| West Warwick | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| 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 Warwick 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.
- Warwick residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Warwick
Is Warwick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warwick has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #15 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warwick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 616 claims in Warwick since 1978, $12.7M in all, or 16.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 49 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (266).
Is Warwick 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 Kent County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warwick?
Warwick is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Warwick?
By FEMA money that reached Warwick, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 4,491 households applied for aid, $6.8M approved, and $10.4M to the City of Warwick for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 266 paid, $8.5M.
Is Warwick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Warwick’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warwick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warwick’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.