Providence, RI Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Providence faces coastal flooding from Narragansett Bay storm surge and riverine flooding from the Providence, Woonasquatucket, and Moshassuck rivers. The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier protects downtown from storm surge.
Providence County has recorded 1,623 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $48.8M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 1
NFIP Policies
2,442
Providence County
Avg. Premium
$1,117/yr
Providence County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Providence County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $93.3M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $305K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $9.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Providence County
Providence County has been included in 7 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Providence County, including Providence.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Providence County
Properties in Providence County have filed 1,623 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $48.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $30K.
Highest-Claim Years
2010
476 claims - $19.1M
2005
232 claims - $9.4M
1979
123 claims - $1.9M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Providence County
Only roughly 1 in 107 households in Providence County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.9% of estimated households). With 146 recorded flood events and $29.7M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.9%
roughly 1 in 107 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 2
1,623 claims over 45+ years across 2,442 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$30,065
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Providence County has averaged 1 claim for every 2 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Providence.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Providence
Providence faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Providence are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $93.3M. Properties in Providence's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Providence means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Providence address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Providence County
Providence County has 192 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. 1 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
192
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
23
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 191 of 192 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Providence County
NOAA has recorded 146 flood events in Providence County since 1996, causing $29.7M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Providence County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 68 properties in Providence County, investing $906K in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Providence, RI Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Providence, RI?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Providence are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Providence?
If your Providence property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Providence?
Enter your Providence address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in Providence?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Providence County (where Providence is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $93.3M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Providence experienced major flooding events?
Providence County, where Providence is located, has been part of 7 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Henri in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Providence?
Providence County has recorded 1,623 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $48.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2010, with 476 claims and $19.1M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Providence.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Providence?
Providence County currently has 2,442 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,117. The most policies are in Zone AE (1,363 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Providence properties have flooded repeatedly?
Providence County has 192 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Providence property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Providence?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Providence's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Rhode Island Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Providence, RI Address
Enter a Providence, RI address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.