riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Washington County Disaster Risk

Washington County, Rhode Island

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 5 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

76th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Washington County

Risk Verdict

Washington County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 64th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Washington County, scoring in the 82th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 76th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (67th), tornado (29th), wildfire (23th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Washington County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Washington County is significantly riskier than the average county in Rhode Island. Its composite risk score is 7.4 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, RI?
Washington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Washington County?
Washington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (82th percentile), flooding (76th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 82th 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 Washington County risk compare to the Rhode Island average?
Washington County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Rhode Island state average of 57th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Washington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Rhode Island.
Is Washington County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Washington County's hurricane risk is at the 82th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Washington County is at the 76th 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.
Why is Washington County higher risk than average?
Washington County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Rhode Island state average of 57th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (82th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Kent County

Rhode Island

+5.4

Relatively Low

69th percentile

Newport County

Rhode Island

-27.6

Very Low

36th percentile

Providence County

Rhode Island

+29.6

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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