Enter any address in Washington County, Rhode Island to see its FEMA flood zone
Washington County experiences a flood risk profile dominated by general riverine flooding and coastal flooding events. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 26 general flood events, 15 coastal flood events, 8 tropical storms, and 7 flash flood events. Recent severe weather illustrates these hazards, such as a January 2024 low pressure system that brought strong southeast winds and rain resulting in widespread river and coastal flooding, as well as a May 2024 low pressure system that produced heavy rainfall, including 6.54 inches in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program records indicate that properties in high-risk coastal and riverine zones bear the heaviest financial impacts. Zone A accounts for 1,351 claims with an average payout of $26,398 and an average recorded water depth of 5 inches. Zone V accounts for 593 claims with an average payout of $45,103 and an average recorded water depth of 9 inches. Meanwhile, moderate-to-low risk Zone X properties recorded 216 claims with an average payout of $10,412 and an average recorded water depth of 9 inches.
Coastal property owners, residents living near rivers, and owners of properties in designated special flood hazard zones should pay the closest attention to these risks, given the higher frequency and payout severity associated with coastal and riverine flooding in the county.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
33 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Washington County, Rhode Island has recorded 56 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 26 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 |
| Queens River Fire | Fire | Apr 14, 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 | Aug 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 13, 2022 | 0.30K |
| Flood | Sep 13, 2022 | 3.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2024
A cold pool aloft and surface front caused a round of strong to severe storms over all of southern New England. Hail from 1 to 2 inches fell in MA, RI, and CT while localized flash flooding was observed in southern RI and MA.
Flood — May 16, 2024
Low pressure south of southern New England brought widespread moderate to heavy rain to the region during the morning. The heaviest was centered in eastern CT, northern and |central RI into south coastal MA where a nearly stationary band of rain produced hourly rain rates of about a half-inch per hour. Some of the highest totals were 5.09 inches of rain in Westport, MA, 6.54 inches in South Kin...
Coastal 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...
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 Washington 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 Washington 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.