Washington County
Rhode Island — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.0, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $32M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $3M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.75 / yr | $22M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.41 / yr | $310K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $921K |
| Lightning | Medium | 20.86 / yr | $561K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.38 / yr | $419K |
| Drought | Low | 3.41 / yr | $124K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.34 / yr | $66K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $746 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.12 / yr | $393K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.10 / yr | $664K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.72 / yr | $425K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.51 / yr | $6K |
| 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 Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $22M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Rhode Island counties?
Washington County ranks #3 of 5 Rhode Island counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Washington County's $32M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.