Westerly, Rhode Island Flood Zones
Westerly faces coastal flooding from the Atlantic Ocean and Pawcatuck River flooding. Barrier beach communities are particularly vulnerable to storm surge and wave action during hurricanes and nor'easters.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Washington 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 ModerateEst. annual loss: $22.0M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $2.3M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $3.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Washington (County)(in (P)MSA 5520,6480) County
Washington (County)(in (P)MSA 5520,6480) County has been included in 8 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 1 earlier declaration since 1985.
These declarations affected communities across Washington (County)(in (P)MSA 5520,6480) County, including Westerly.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Washington County
Properties in Washington County have filed 2,397 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $51.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $21K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
857 claims - $32.0M
2010
422 claims - $7.8M
1991
331 claims - $3.3M
Claims by Flood Zone
Zone A
817
Zone AE
495
Zone X
444
Zone V
335
Zone VE
253
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced February 2026.
Common Flood Zones in Westerly
Properties in Westerly, RI are commonly designated in these FEMA flood zones:
What Your Flood Zone Means in Westerly
Westerly 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 Westerly are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $22.0M. Properties in Westerly'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 Westerly 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 Westerly address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Westerly
Westerly participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Westerly's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Check Your Westerly Address
Enter any Westerly, RI address to instantly see its FEMA flood zone, risk level, and whether flood insurance is required.
Free Flood Zone LookupWesterly, RI Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Westerly, RI?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Westerly are Zone VE, Zone AE, 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 Westerly?
If your Westerly 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 about 25% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Westerly?
Enter your Westerly 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.
Does Westerly offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Westerly participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Westerly experienced major flooding events?
Washington (County)(in (P)MSA 5520,6480) County, where Westerly is located, has been part of 8 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 Westerly?
Washington County has recorded 2,397 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $51.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 857 claims and $32.0M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Westerly.
Sources
This page summarizes information from FEMA and other official resources in plain language. For full technical details, see the links below.
- FEMA National Flood Hazard LayerDirect Source
The NFHL is the source of all flood zone data shown on this page.
- FEMA Map Service Center — Search by AddressDirect Source
Look up any address to view FIRM panels, FIS reports, and LOMCs.
- NFHL Data and Map StatusTopic Page
View NFHL coverage and data freshness by state and community.
- FEMA National Risk Index — Data ResourcesDirect Source
County-level risk scores for inland flooding, coastal flooding, and hurricane used in the Flood Risk Profile.
- OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API v2Direct Source
Federal disaster declarations filtered for flood-related incident types (Flood, Hurricane, Severe Storm, Coastal Storm).
- OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Claims API v2Direct Source
Historical NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, aggregated by county and state. Includes claim counts, payouts, and flood zone breakdowns.
Sources last verified: February 2026