Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, West Greenwich faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Greenwich gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #7 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
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 West Greenwich 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 West Greenwich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Greenwich, and West Greenwich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #7 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Greenwich’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Rhode Island town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Greenwich has less expected damage per building than 84% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across West Greenwich: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Greenwich flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Greenwich, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $10K
West Greenwich isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Greenwich
Disasters that paid out in West Greenwich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Greenwich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$159K aid approved$52K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding16 households applied for aid$85K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$8K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$7K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding313 households applied for aid$576K aid approved$182K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$14K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs
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 West Greenwich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Greenwich archive →West Greenwich and its neighbors
West Greenwich has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Greenwich | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Exeter | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Coventry | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| East Greenwich | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Voluntown | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 West Greenwich 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 West Greenwich
Is West Greenwich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Greenwich has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #7 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Greenwich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Greenwich since 2010, $10K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is West Greenwich 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 West Greenwich?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Greenwich’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 West Greenwich?
By FEMA money that reached West Greenwich, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 313 households applied for aid, $576K approved, and $182K to the Town of West Greenwich for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $10K.
Is West Greenwich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and West Greenwich’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Greenwich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Greenwich’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.