Water Damage Restoration in Providence, RI

First Steps for Water in a Home in Providence

• Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
• Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
• Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.

Providence Flood Record

NOAA has 132 flood and flash flood reports for the 5 Rhode Island counties of the Providence metro area from 2016 to 2025, on 51 separate days; July had the most.

At the Providence T F Green Airport gauge, March is the wettest month with 4.9 inches on average.

Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 4 report days.

Freezing Nights in Providence

Providence averages 109 nights a year at or below 32°F (Providence T F Green Airport station). About 34 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 29 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 5 Rhode Island counties of the Providence metro area from 2016 to 2025.

Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).

Storms and Disasters in Providence

The 5 Rhode Island counties of the Providence metro area were named in 6 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).

Notable NOAA storm reports

• August 18, 2023: Tornado, EF2 (Providence County)A tornado caused significant damage along a discontinuous path in Scituate, Johnston, and North Providence, Rhode Island.
• September 5, 2022: Flash flood (Providence County)In Providence, 7 to 10 inches of rain fell over the course of a few hours during the mid to late afternoon creating serious flash flooding.
• August 22, 2021: Tropical storm (Washington County)Wind speeds generally were gusting to 60 to 70 mph in Washington County. There was significant damage and widespread power outages.
• June 29, 2019: Hail, 1.75 inch hail (Providence County)At 2:51 PM EST, an amateur radio operator reported one-inch diameter hail in Scituate. At 3 PM EST, 1.75 inch diameter hail fell on Lincoln. At 3:04 PM EST, 1.75 inch diameter hail fell on Cumberland.
• February 25, 2016: Thunderstorm wind, 76 mph gust (Bristol County)An amateur radio operator recorded a 76 mph wind gust on their home weather station in Bristol. In addition, several large trees were downed around Roger Williams University and other parts of Bristol.

Federal disaster declarations

• March 20, 2024: Severe Storms And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4766
• March 20, 2024: Severe Storm And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4765
• January 7, 2024: Severe Storms, Flooding, And TornadoesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4753
• April 14, 2023: Queens River FireFire, FEMA FM-5464
• May 12, 2022: Severe Winter Storm And SnowstormSnowstorm, FEMA DR-4653
• August 21, 2021: Hurricane HenriHurricane, FEMA EM-3563

Providence Housing at a Glance

Census figures for the city of Providence (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 79,423 housing units, a median build year of 1938, 82% built before 1980, 74% before 1970, 41% owner occupied.

Rhode Island Insurance Rules for Water Claims

Rhode Island insurers must acknowledge written notice of a claim in writing within 15 days (230-RICR-20-40-2).

Claim problems in Rhode Island go to the Rhode Island Division of Insurance.

Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Providence flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.

Restoration Cost Guide for Providence

Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.

Areas Served Around Providence

The same 24/7 line covers the Providence metro area, including:

• Providence
• Cranston
• Warwick
• Pawtucket
• East Providence
• Woonsocket
• Newport
• Central Falls

Water damage restoration in all cities

Questions

When is the first freeze in Providence?

The median first night at or below 32°F is October 30 and the median last is April 11 at the Providence T F Green Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).

How fast does mold start?

Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).