Kent County Disaster Risk
Kent County, Rhode Island
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
69th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#2
of 5 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
81th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 21% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 39% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Kent County, Rhode Island
Kent: Above-Average Risk Across Hazards
Kent County's composite risk score of 69.43 ranks in the Relatively Low category nationally, but masks elevated exposure to several specific hazards. Flood (80.88), hurricane (82.39), and earthquake (75.29) risks all exceed typical U.S. levels.
Second-Highest Risk in Rhode Island
Kent County scores 69.43, placing it second only to Providence County (93.67) for overall risk in Rhode Island. At 12.84 points above the state average of 56.59, Kent faces notably elevated hazard exposure compared to Bristol and Newport counties.
Higher Risk Than Coastal Peers
Kent's 69.43 score exceeds Newport (36.42) and Bristol (19.40), though it ranks below Providence (93.67) and slightly above Washington (64.03). As the state's interior anchor, Kent experiences higher flood and tornado risk than its coastal neighbors.
Flood and Hurricane Dominate Kent's Profile
Flood (80.88) and hurricane (82.39) are Kent's two major hazards, with earthquake risk (75.29) also elevated. While tornado (39.06) and wildfire (21.12) pose secondary threats, the county's inland-coastal hybrid geography creates compound vulnerability.
Don't Skip Flood Insurance Here
Kent's flood risk of 80.88 demands active flood insurance—federal rates may be more affordable than you expect, especially outside high-hazard zones. Bundle flood coverage with wind and earthquake riders to address Kent's full natural disaster spectrum.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Kent County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Kent County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 69th, Kent County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Kent County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 82th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (75th percentile), tornado (39th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 82th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Kent County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Flood at the 81th percentile nationally is Kent County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Kent County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.
Regional Context
At 12.8 points above the Rhode Island state average, Kent County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Rhode Island county.
Is your household prepared for Kent County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Kent County, RI?
What types of natural hazards affect Kent County?
How does Kent County risk compare to the Rhode Island average?
Is Kent County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Kent County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.