Photo: Marcbela · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, West Warwick faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Warwick gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #32 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 144 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 stands out about West Warwick’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West 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 West Warwick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Warwick, and West Warwick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B #32 of 38 in Rhode Island; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Warwick’s residents live in 6 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, West Warwick has more expected damage per building than 84% of Rhode Island towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across West Warwick: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Warwick flood? Yes: 144 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Warwick, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter57 claims · $4.7M
- The December nor’easter6 claims · $669K
West Warwick 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Warwick
Disasters that paid out in West Warwick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Warwick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding197 households applied for aid$703K aid approved$1.8M to the Town of West Warwick for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding77 households applied for aid$176K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$148K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$97K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$18K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs
Show all 9
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$77K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1,349 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$910K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs58 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$82K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs17 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 West Warwick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Warwick archive →West Warwick and its neighbors
West Warwick is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 616 |
| Coventry | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| East Greenwich | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| 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 West 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Warwick
Is West Warwick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Warwick has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #32 of 38 in Rhode Island. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Warwick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 144 claims in West Warwick since 1979, $6.8M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (57).
Is West 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 West Warwick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Warwick’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 Warwick?
By FEMA money that reached West Warwick, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 1,349 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $910K to the Town of West Warwick for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 57 paid, $4.7M.
Is West Warwick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and West Warwick’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Warwick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West 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.