Rhode Island natural disasters & FEMA declarations
RI · 49th most declarations of 51 states/DC
Rhode Island has had 31 federally declared disasters since 1954, the 49th most of any US state or DC. Its most common hazard is Hurricane (10 declarations, about 32% of the total). The most recent declaration was "Severe Storm And Flooding" (Severe Storm), on Mar 20, 2024.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by hazard type
These are the distinct FEMA disaster declarations for Rhode Island, grouped by their primary incident type. A single declaration can affect many counties; each is counted once here.
| Hazard / incident type | Declarations | Share of state total |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 10 | 32% |
| Severe Storm | 8 | 26% |
| Snowstorm | 7 | 23% |
| Biological | 3 | 10% |
| Fire | 1 | 3% |
| Other | 1 | 3% |
| Toxic Substances | 1 | 3% |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by program type
FEMA issues several kinds of declaration. Major Disaster (DR) declarations unlock the widest assistance; Emergency (EM) declarations are more limited; and Fire Management Assistance (FM) grants help fight large wildfires.
| Declaration type | Declarations |
|---|---|
| Major Disaster (DR) | 17 |
| Emergency (EM) | 13 |
| Fire Management Assistance (FM) | 1 |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by decade
How Rhode Island's declaration count has changed over time. Earlier decades reflect both fewer disasters and a narrower federal declaration program; recent decades are the most complete.
| Decade | Declarations |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1970s | 2 |
| 1980s | 1 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 4 |
| 2010s | 8 |
| 2020s | 9 |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Most recent declarations
| Date | Title | Type | FEMA ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2024 | Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | DR-4765-RI |
| Mar 20, 2024 | Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | DR-4766-RI |
| Jan 7, 2024 | Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | DR-4753-RI |
| Apr 14, 2023 | Queens River Fire | Fire | FM-5464-RI |
| May 12, 2022 | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | DR-4653-RI |
| Aug 21, 2021 | Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | EM-3563-RI |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Notable earthquakes in or near Rhode Island
No magnitude-6.0+ earthquakes are attributed to Rhode Island in the USGS catalog used here. That does not mean the state has zero seismic risk — smaller earthquakes occur in most states. See our earthquake risk by region guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many federally declared disasters has Rhode Island had?
Rhode Island has had 31 distinct FEMA disaster declarations since 1954, the 49th most of any US state or DC, according to FEMA's Disaster Declarations Summaries.
What is the most common disaster in Rhode Island?
The most common federally declared disaster type in Rhode Island is "Hurricane", with 10 declarations — about 32% of the state's total.
When was the most recent disaster declaration in Rhode Island?
The most recent FEMA declaration in Rhode Island in this snapshot was "Severe Storm And Flooding" (Severe Storm), declared Mar 20, 2024.
Related
Source & notes
Disaster data from OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2; earthquake data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (FDSN event service). Both are US public domain. Counts are distinct declarations (a declaration affecting many counties is counted once). HazardMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by FEMA or USGS; this is general information, not safety or insurance advice. Verify with official sources.
Last updated: 2026-06-18