Newport County, Rhode Island
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 44005 · population 85,564 · 102 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 286 records for Newport County, Rhode Island from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 237 days; the most frequent are high wind and dust records (110 records). 203 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the October 28, 2018 high surf, filed for the forecast zone Newport, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 22 declarations naming the county since 1978, 20 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms and Flooding” on March 20, 2024.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 286on 237 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 50 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $11Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 1strongest EF0
- FEMA declarations
- 22latest 2024
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Newport County most?
The most frequent records are high wind and dust records: 110 since 1996. The rank column places the county among Rhode Island's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | 110 | 100 | 1996-2024 | 1 | 0 | $769K | 1 of 4 |
| Winter storms | 63 | 61 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 0 | $475K | 2 of 4 |
| Floods | 30 | 24 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | $8.9M | 2 of 4 |
| Heavy rain | 22 | 22 | 1996-2003 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 of 4 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 22 | 17 | 1974-2021 | 0 | 0 | $112K | 3 of 4 |
| Hail | 13 | 10 | 1994-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 4 |
| Lightning | 8 | 8 | 1998-2023 | 0 | 0 | $119K | 1 of 4 |
| Drought | 5 | 5 | 2012-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 of 4 |
| Hurricanes and tropical storms | 4 | 3 | 2011-2021 | 0 | 0 | $571K | 1 of 4 |
| Rip currents and high surf | 2 | 2 | 2014-2018 | 3 | 0 | – | 1 of 4 |
| Extreme cold | 2 | 2 | 2015-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 of 4 |
| Heat | 2 | 2 | 2010-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 4 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 2 | 2 | 1997-1997 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 of 4 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 2019-2019 | 0 | 0 | $6K | 3 of 4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Newport County had?
NOAA records 1 tornado in Newport County from 2019 to 2019, the strongest rated EF0, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 1 tornado whose track touched Newport County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 1, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Every tornado record filed for Newport County (1)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-10-02 | Quonset Pt Nas, Newport County | EF0 0.22 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Newport County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 22, 2026 blizzard (1 death).
At the Newport Airport ASOS (KUUU) blizzard conditions occurred from 450 AM EST to 405 PM EST. Newport RI (UUU) wind observations ceased after 150pm, so end time estimated based on visibility since nearby observations indicated winds remained above 35 mph. The highest gust was 67 mph at 855 AN EST. Generally 30-32 inches of snow fell. The highest amount was 34 inches in Newport. A Salve Regina University student from Long Island died of carbon monoxide poisoning after charging his phone in a running car.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1309227)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-23 | Flash FloodTiverton, Newport County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-23 | Flash FloodNewport County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-06-23 | Flash FloodNewport County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | BlizzardNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-25 | Heavy SnowNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-08-22 | Tropical StormNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 0 | 0 | $545K | |
| 2020-08-25 | Thunderstorm WindJamestown, Newport County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $57K |
| 2019-10-02 | TornadoQuonset Pt Nas, Newport County | EF0 0.22 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2018-10-28 | High SurfNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-03-02 | High WindNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 58 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $2K |
| 2014-08-06 | High SurfNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2012-10-29 | Coastal FloodNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 0 | 0 | $3.9M |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-10-28 | High SurfNewport County · forecast zone Newport High surf, on the order of 6 to 8 foot waves, knocked a 51 year old woman off the rocks, where she was fishing. She ended up drowning. Her 52 year old husband went into the water to save her but he ended up drowning as well. Very sad story. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-22 | BlizzardNewport County · forecast zone Newport At the Newport Airport ASOS (KUUU) blizzard conditions occurred from 450 AM EST to 405 PM EST. Newport RI (UUU) wind observations ceased after 150pm, so end time estimated based on visibility since nearby observations indicated winds remained above 35 mph. The highest gust was 67 mph at 855 AN EST. Generally 30-32 ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2018-03-02 | High WindNewport County · forecast zone Newport At 1:52 PM EST the Automated Surface Observing System platform at Newport State Airport in Middletown measured a wind gust to 67 mph. At 2:24 PM EST an amateur radio operator in Newport reported a wind gust to 62 mph. At 3:20 PM EST, a tree fell on the front yard of a property near the intersection of Lawrence Avenue ... | 58 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $2K |
| 2014-08-06 | High SurfNewport County · forecast zone Newport A 58 year old Massachusetts man was swept away by high surf while fishing on rocks at Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, RI. His body was recovered from the surf along the rocky shoreline. Tropical Storm Bertha was spinning off the coast of North Carolina, churning up seas and sending them northward, contributing to ... | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-03-30 | FloodConanicut Park, Newport County | 0 | 0 | $4.8M | |
| 2012-10-29 | Coastal FloodNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 0 | 0 | $3.9M | |
| 2021-08-22 | Tropical StormNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 0 | 0 | $545K | |
| 2020-08-25 | Thunderstorm WindJamestown, Newport County | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $57K |
| 2019-10-02 | TornadoQuonset Pt Nas, Newport County | EF0 0.22 mi x 60 yd | 0 | 0 | $6K |
| 2018-03-02 | High WindNewport County · forecast zone Newport | 58 kt wind | 1 | 0 | $2K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Newport County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 54 | 23 | 20 | 13 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 8 | 17 | 32 | 6 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 3 | 8 | 8 | 11 |
| Heavy rain | – | – | – | – | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Newport County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 33 · Feb 44 · Mar 40 · Apr 17 · May 10 · Jun 20 · Jul 19 · Aug 20 · Sep 14 · Oct 24 · Nov 17 · Dec 28 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Newport County
FEMA's register lists 22 declarations that include Newport County: 13 major disasters, 9 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for hurricane (8) and severe storm (6).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-03-20 | DR-4766 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2022-05-12 | DR-4653 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2021-08-21 | EM-3563 | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri |
| 2020-03-30 | DR-4505 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3440 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2015-04-03 | DR-4212 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2013-03-22 | DR-4107 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2012-11-03 | DR-4089 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2012-10-29 | EM-3355 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| 2011-09-03 | DR-4027 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene |
| 2011-08-27 | EM-3334 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| 2010-03-30 | EM-3311 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2010-03-29 | DR-1894 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2007-05-25 | DR-1704 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding |
| 2005-09-19 | EM-3255 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2005-02-17 | EM-3203 | Snowstorm | Record Snow |
| 1996-01-24 | DR-1091 | Snowstorm | Blizzard of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) |
| 1993-03-16 | EM-3102 | Snowstorm | Blizzards, High Winds & Record Snowfall |
| 1991-08-26 | DR-913 | Hurricane | Hurricane Bob |
| 1985-10-15 | DR-748 | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria |
| 1978-02-16 | DR-548 | Snowstorm | Snow & Ice |
| 1978-02-07 | EM-3058 | Snowstorm | Blizzard & Snowstorms |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Newport County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 30 flood or flash flood records for Newport County from 1997 to 2026, on 24 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Newport County ranks 381st of 2,942 U.S. counties.
| Storm | Began | Records | Deaths in the county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Henri | 2021-08-22 | 1 | 0 |
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012-10-29 | 1 | 0 |
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $11.8 million on 805 claims filed in Newport County; the most in one year was 222 in 1991. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1978: 57 · 1979: 3 · 1980: 6 · 1981: 1 · 1982: 3 · 1983: 3 · 1984: 5 · 1985: 37 · 1987: 12 · 1991: 222 · 1992: 11 · 1993: 3 · 1994: 5 · 1995: 1 · 1996: 4 · 1997: 11 · 1998: 4 · 1999: 7 · 2000: 2 · 2001: 12 · 2002: 1 · 2003: 4 · 2005: 9 · 2006: 2 · 2007: 12 · 2008: 4 · 2009: 4 · 2010: 85 · 2011: 22 · 2012: 138 · 2013: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 29 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Newport County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Newport County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $13.9 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $754K | 3.7 a year (modeled) |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low | $2.4M | once in about 5 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $8.7M | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | $281K | 20 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $98K | 3.6 modeled event-days a year |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | $430K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $41K | 9.7 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low | $41K | once in about 4 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Newport County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- High wind and dust storms in Rhode IslandThe state's high wind and dust records, by county, year and month
- The Rhode Island recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Newport CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Newport County's FEMA declarations (CSV)22 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis