Providence County
Rhode Island — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Providence County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.7, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $130M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 6.04 / yr | $9M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.00 / yr | $93M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.29 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | High | 21.96 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 2.42 / yr | $661K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.01 / yr | $636K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.31 / yr | $8K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.76 / yr | $305K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.17 / yr | $553K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 14.30 / yr | $37K |
| Drought | Low | 2.11 / yr | $36K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Providence County?
Providence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.7 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Providence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $9M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $93M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Providence County compare to other Rhode Island counties?
Providence County ranks #1 of 5 Rhode Island counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Providence County's $130M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.