Enter any address in Providence County, Rhode Island to see its FEMA flood zone
Providence County experiences a flood risk profile dominated by riverine flooding and flash floods from heavy precipitation, backed by occasional tropical and coastal events. Over the last 30 years, NOAA recorded 92 flood events, 76 flash floods, 7 tropical storms, and 4 coastal floods. Recent events illustrate this pattern, such as a January 2024 low pressure system that brought 2 to 5 inches of rain combined with melting snow to cause widespread river flooding and major flood stages. Another event in January 2024 brought 1 to 3 inches of rain on saturated ground, leading to widespread river and coastal flooding. Additionally, a passing cold front in May 2024 produced training storms that caused flash flooding in Providence.
Federal flood insurance claims data shows impacts across multiple zones, indicating varied exposure levels. High-risk Zone A accounts for the largest share with 968 claims, an average payout of $46,697, and an average recorded water depth of 11 inches. Zone X properties also face significant risk, recording 287 claims with an average payout of $31,669 and an average water depth of 16 inches. Unshaded Zone X properties recorded 253 claims with an average payout of $19,127 and an average water depth of 5 inches, while shaded Zone X properties logged 67 claims with an average payout of $25,950 and an average water depth of 12 inches. Zone D accounts for 21 claims with an average payout of $26,372 and an average water depth of 2 inches.
Homeowners and real estate professionals in Providence County should pay the closest attention to properties located in designated high-risk Zone A, as well as those in Zone X areas that have historical insurance claims and notable average water depths.
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 a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, 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.