Rhode Island Storm & Severe Weather History
Since 1996, Rhode Island has logged 2,405 severe-weather events — about 78 a year — with 15 direct deaths, 37 injuries and $131.7M in reported property damage.
By event type
Strong Wind4311 d$725K
Heavy Snow339—$11.4M
High Wind2991 d$2.5M
Thunderstorm Wind283—$3.4M
Flood175—$93.1M
Winter Storm138—$497K
Heavy Rain127—$30K
Hail124—$20K
Flash Flood121—$3.7M
Winter Weather104—$102K
Lightning592 d$1.4M
Coastal Flood41—$11.2M
Drought34——
Tropical Storm27—$2.1M
Heat253 d—
Blizzard24—$62K
Events by year
19962026
Notable events (16)
Events with deaths, major damage, or a strong tornado — deadliest first.
Rip CurrentJune 20, 2021
Eastern Kent · 2 killed ·
High SurfSeptember 28, 2008
Washington · 2 killed ·
HeatJune 9, 2008
Southeast Providence · 2 killed ·
High WindMarch 2, 2018
Newport · 1 killed · $2K damage
Strong WindMarch 7, 2025
Northwest Providence · 1 killed · $500 damage
Rip CurrentJuly 27, 2023
Washington · 1 killed ·
High SurfOctober 28, 2018
Newport · 1 killed ·
High SurfAugust 6, 2014
Newport · 1 killed ·
HeatJuly 20, 2013
Southeast Providence · 1 killed ·
LightningJune 24, 2008
Bristol · 1 killed ·
LightningAugust 11, 2004
Washington · 1 killed · 1 injured ·
High SurfSeptember 18, 2003
Washington · 1 killed ·
FloodMarch 29, 2010
Providence · $26.6M damage
FloodMarch 29, 2010
Kent · $25.6M damage
FloodMarch 29, 2010
Washington · $24.8M damage
Heavy SnowMarch 5, 2001
Northwest Providence · $10.0M damage
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Counts are every logged event since 1996; the "notable" list is filtered to events with fatalities, major damage or a strong tornado. Damage is the reporting office's estimate. A record of past weather is not a forecast. See About the Data.