Flood Protection Information
It is important to KNOW YOUR FLOOD HAZARD. The Town of Narragansett is especially vulnerable to coastal flooding as well as flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms.
The Town of Narragansett, and all other Rhode Island Cities and Towns participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). By participating, property owners can purchase federally–backed flood insurance, as typically home owners insurance does not cover flooding. It is recommended that renters also obtain flood insurance for their contents.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) The Federal Emergency Management Agency explains that the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
“aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. These efforts help mitigate the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. Overall, the program reduces the socio-economic impact of disasters by promoting the purchase and retention of general risk insurance, but also of flood insurance, specifically”.
Rhode Island Floodplain Mapping
The Town of Narragansett can help you identify whether or not your property is located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as defined by FEMA on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). We can provide the specific Flood Zone and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) of your property. We can also provide handout information on Flood Insurance requirements. Please contact the Office of Community Development at 401.782-0632, or Email
You can view the Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Narragansett here:
2013 FIRMS
The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) has an interactive floodplain map on their website that covers the entire state. The Floodplain Mapping Tool link is on RIEMA's home page. This interactive map allows you to zoom in and find the flood zones and BFE's (if available) in your area. It also offers additional information such as FEMA FIRMs in effect. Please use the link below to view this mapping tool.
Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency
FEMA offers an online mapping tool to locate your address and identify where is it on the FIRM. This tool uses the Official FEMA FIRM as its base map, and will also allow a user to create a FIRMette - a legal FIRM Map of a smaller area which may be easier to identify structures and flood zone lines.
FEMA Map Service Center
FEMA also offers several technical bulletins for further assistance when developing in the Floodplain. They can be found here:
The Town
The Town of Narragansett has a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Overlay District within the Zoning Ordinance. All properties proposing development within this SFHA will require a permit ,and will be required to meet these as well as the Rhode Island State Building Code and the National Flood Insurance Program regulations. The Town's Ordinance for the SFHA Overlay District Section can be viewed here:
Zoning Ordinance Section 4.7
The Town participates in the NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) program whereby the Town is rewarded for a community-centered approach to reducing flood hazards that also protect the natural and beneficial functions of a community’s flood prone lands. The CRS program offers points for flood loss reduction, mapping and flood damage reduction activities. A CRS-participating community obtains a CRS Class “rating.” The Town of Narragansett is currently rated "7" which entitles property owners within the Town to receive a 15% discount on their flood Insurance premiums. For more information the CRS, please view the brochure below:
The Town uses CodeRED to alert residents of emergencies in Town - including flood related emergencies. Everbridge is used to inform residents that a Flood Watch and/or Flood Warning is in effect and provides more information on evacuation routes and requirements.
Town evacuation areas and routes can be located on the maps below.
The Town keeps a copy for all Elevation Certificates that have been required for development within the Special Flood Hazard Area. Please see the link below for a list of properties that have Elevation Certificates available for viewing at the Town.
DO NOT DUMP POLLUTANTS in the storm drains; they empty directly into the ocean and on the beaches/shorelines.
OTHER INFORMATION
Below are links to other flood information websites which may be helpful.
National Weather Service Flood Safety
Red Cross Flood Safety Website