Enter any address in Providence County, Rhode Island to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is a primary flood concern in Providence County, RI. This is evidenced by 76 flash flood events and 92 general flood events recorded by NOAA over the past 30 years. For example, recent flash flooding occurred in May 2024 due to strong storms moving over Providence. Additionally, widespread river flooding was reported in January 2024 following heavy rainfall across the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $37,075 and an average water depth of 6.1 feet. While Zone X properties have seen fewer claims, some have experienced higher average water depths (7.8 feet in Zone X, compared to 2.7 feet in Zone X_UNSHADED). Homeowners in coastal areas, those located near rivers, and properties situated in zones with higher average water depths, particularly Zone A, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
77 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Providence County, Rhode Island has recorded 179 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 76 flash floods and 92 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1978–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 9, 2024 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 17, 2023 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Sep 10, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 28, 2022 |
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 20, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 23, 2024
A passing cold front brought a round of strong storms through southern New England. Training storms moving over Providence caused flash flooding in addition to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Earlier in the day it caused wind damage in Connecticut.
Flash Flood — Jan 13, 2024
A low pressure system over the southern Plains strengthened significantly as it reached the eastern Great Lakes. This placed New England on the warm side of the storm with strong SE winds and rain instead of snow. This lead to widespread river flooding and coastal flooding on both the south and east coasts of southern New England. The heaviest rain fell over eastern CT, RI, and eastern MA with ...
Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A negatively tilted mid level trough swung through New England while at the surface a low pressure center passed directly over southern New England. This inland runner brought warm air so that all precipitation fell as rain, along with strong winds. There was a good deal of tree damage from the winds and widespread river flooding with many rivers going into major flood stage. Much of Rhode Isla...
Coastal Flood — Dec 18, 2023
A strong storm system moved up the Atlantic coast Sunday night into Monday, merging with a short wave trough exiting the northern Great Plains and taking the surface low west of southern New England. This brought strong southerly winds and coastal flooding to southern New England. This was a very impactful storm flooding roads, closing schools, knocking out power to 300,000 across MA, cancellin...
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2023
A deep longwave trough, south-southwest flow at all levels, and the development of a QLCS (quasi-linear convective system) created all the ingredients for a widespread and susbstantial flash flood event across much of southern New England. For a few hours during the late morning, helicity values were high and a brief tornado formed along the QLCS in North Brookfield, MA.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Providence County, Rhode Island:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Providence County, Rhode Island that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.