riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Newport County Disaster Risk

Newport County, Rhode Island

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

36th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 5 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

61th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 17% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Newport County, Rhode Island

Newport: Low Risk, High Exposure Spots

Newport County's composite risk score of 36.42 ranks as Very Low nationally, but coastal concentrations of population create pockets of significant vulnerability. Hurricane (80.23) and flood (61.40) risks remain well above average despite the county's overall favorable rating.

Third-Safest Rhode Island County

Newport's 36.42 score ranks third among Rhode Island counties, well below the state average of 56.59 but nearly double Bristol County's 19.40. This positioning reflects Newport's coastal geography and lower overall exposure compared to Kent and Providence counties.

Safer Than Most, Riskier Than Bristol

Newport (36.42) outperforms Kent (69.43), Washington (64.03), and Providence (93.67) but lags behind Bristol (19.40). Newport's smaller geographic footprint and coastal focus mean risk concentrates more acutely in specific neighborhoods.

Hurricane and Coastal Flood Lead Threats

Hurricane risk (80.23) and flood risk (61.40) dominate Newport's hazard profile, reflecting the county's Atlantic exposure. Earthquake (57.35), tornado (16.98), and wildfire (13.68) pose minimal additional threat to most residents.

Coastal Properties Need Storm Preparedness

Newport's 80.23 hurricane rating demands robust wind coverage and separate flood insurance for any property within one mile of water or in a flood zone. Consider storm shutters, elevated HVAC systems, and updated roof anchoring as cost-effective hardening investments.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Newport County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    61th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Newport County

Risk Verdict

Newport County's overall natural disaster score at the 36th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. A 36th percentile score positions Newport County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Newport County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (57th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 80th percentile nationally makes Newport County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Newport County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Newport County's flood exposure at the 61th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Newport County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Newport County's composite risk score sits 20.2 points below the Rhode Island county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Newport County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Newport County, RI?
Newport County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 36th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Newport County?
Newport County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (80th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), tornado (17th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 80th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Newport County risk compare to the Rhode Island average?
Newport County's composite risk percentile is 36th, compared to the Rhode Island state average of 57th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Newport County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Rhode Island.
Is Newport County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Newport County's hurricane risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Newport County is at the 61th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Newport County a safe place to live?
Newport County's composite risk score of 36th percentile is below the Rhode Island state average of 57th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bristol County

Rhode Island

-17.0

Very Low

19th percentile

Washington County

Rhode Island

+27.6

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Kent County

Rhode Island

+33.0

Relatively Low

69th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.

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