Flood & Hurricane Risk in Pawtucket
Pawtucket carries real, current, disclosed water- and wind-related hazard exposure -- a 'Moderate' flood-risk score (FEMA Zone X) and a 'Major Wind Factor' hurricane/severe-wind risk for downtown specifically -- which this record discloses as running more toward wind, heavy rain, and riverine flooding than direct coastal storm surge, given Pawtucket's inland-from-the-bay position.
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Learn moreA 'Moderate' Flood-Risk Score, With FEMA Zone X
First Street Foundation cited approximately 8.9% of Pawtucket properties as currently carrying flood risk, rising to approximately 9.5% over a 30-year horizon, with a FEMA Zone X designation (not within the 100-year floodplain, but within the area at risk from a 500-year flood event) and an overall 'Moderate' flood-risk score. A real, cited 1-in-100-year flood event occurring today could affect approximately 667 Pawtucket properties, with a cited approximately 26% chance of such an event occurring at least once over the life of a 30-year mortgage.
Downtown Pawtucket's 'Major Wind Factor' Hurricane Risk
First Street cited downtown Pawtucket as carrying a 'Major Wind Factor' risk, describing it as the area's most significant hazard, consistent with the Rhode Island manifest's broader coastal-hazard research context (the state's real, documented history with severe storms including the 1938 Long Island Express hurricane and 2012's Hurricane Sandy). A real, cited 1-in-3,000-year windstorm event occurring today could produce gusts up to approximately 95 mph, rising to approximately 101 mph over a 30-year horizon.
An Inland-From-the-Bay Position Shapes the Real Character of This Risk
This record discloses directly that Pawtucket's own position -- inland from Narragansett Bay along the Seekonk and Blackstone Rivers, rather than directly oceanfront -- makes this hazard read more as a real wind/heavy-rain/riverine-flood exposure than the direct coastal storm-surge risk this project's records for South County Rhode Island beach towns would carry.
Regional Riverine Flood Context
The Rhode Island manifest's own research context discloses a real, regional riverine-flooding risk from the Blackstone, Pawtuxet, and Woonasquatucket Rivers alongside coastal flooding from Narragansett Bay -- the Blackstone River (which becomes the Seekonk River as it passes through Pawtucket) is directly relevant to Pawtucket's own hazard profile given the city's historic mill-town development directly along this waterway.
Confirm a Specific Property's Current Hazard Status Directly
This record did not independently research Pawtucket-specific seismic-hazard data to its own sourcing standard this pass -- a real, disclosed gap. Confirm a specific target property's current flood-zone and wind-risk status directly via FEMA flood maps or a similar current source.
Key takeaways
- Pawtucket carries a real, cited 'Moderate' flood-risk score, with approximately 8.9% of properties currently at risk (FEMA Zone X).
- Downtown Pawtucket carries a real, cited 'Major Wind Factor' hurricane risk, the area's most significant cited hazard.
- This record discloses Pawtucket's inland-from-the-bay position as shaping this risk toward wind/heavy-rain/riverine flooding rather than direct coastal storm surge.
- Regional riverine flood risk from the Blackstone/Seekonk River is directly relevant given Pawtucket's historic mill-town development along it.
- Confirm a specific property's current flood-zone and wind-risk status directly via FEMA maps -- this record did not confirm current seismic-hazard data for Pawtucket this pass.
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