Cranston, RI

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 84,448 · Part of Providence County

Cranston is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Providence County, RI. The county's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, inland flooding, and hurricane.

Storm events near Cranston

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Cranston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Cranston itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 17 events
Hail 36 events
Inland Flooding 191 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Providence County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Cranston along with the rest of the county, not a Cranston-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 31.7 Very Low
Inland Flooding 96.6 Relatively High
Coastal Flooding 56.4 Relatively Low
Earthquake 89.4 Relatively Low
Heat Wave 97.2 Relatively High
Tornado 78.3 Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 90.6 Relatively High
Drought 34.9 Relatively Low
Hail 75.1 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane 91.7 Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm 87.3 Relatively High
Landslide 74.7 Relatively Low
Lightning 89 Relatively High
Strong Wind 53.5 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Insufficient Data
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 37.3 Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Providence County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

Other cities in Providence County:

More on Providence County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Cranston, RI at risk of?

Cranston is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Providence County, where Cranston is located, are heat wave, inland flooding, and hurricane.

What is Cranston's biggest natural hazard risk?

Heat Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Providence County, where Cranston is located, scoring 97.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").

Is Cranston a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Cranston carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Providence County.

Has Cranston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 17 tornado, 36 hail, 191 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Cranston since 2016.