Rhode Island strong wind risk
Providence County has the highest strong wind risk in Rhode Island, scoring 53.5 out of 100 — rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
NOAA events 2016–2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence County | 53.5 | Relatively Moderate | 0 |
| 2 | Kent County | 46.9 | Relatively Low | 0 |
| 3 | Newport County | 35.7 | Relatively Low | 0 |
| 4 | Washington County | 30 | Relatively Low | 0 |
| 5 | Bristol County | 14.6 | Very Low | 0 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. Scores are 0–100 percentile rankings among all US counties. See the methodology page for definitions. Download the full CSV for all counties.
Strong Wind risk nationally:
Other hazard risks in Rhode Island:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest strong wind risk county in Rhode Island?
Providence County, RI has the highest strong wind risk in Rhode Island, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.5 out of 100 (rated "Relatively Moderate").
What causes strong wind risk in Rhode Island?
Strong wind risk covers non-convective, non-tropical sustained high winds — including derechos and general high-wind events, but excluding tornado and hurricane winds. High scores appear in mountain passes, coastal headlands, and open plains where topography amplifies wind speeds. Damage concentrates on utility infrastructure, trees, and lightweight structures.