Hurricanes in Rhode Island? (Providence, Newport: home owners insurance, how much, new)

[HockeyFan]

Just read an article on the hurricane insurance premium issues in Rhode Island, and wondered... how big of a concern are hurricanes? I am certainly aware they can hit.. but does anyone have personal experience with hurricanes in Rhode Island?

Also, when they say high premiums... how high is high? And how much of the state does it affect? Newport, I can understand, but what about the Providence area?

Thanks everyone!

[ScranBarre]

It appears as if Providence was slammed rather hard by both the Hurricane of 1938, as well as Hurricane Carol in 1954. According to my research, eight feet of water covered city streets. The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier was constructed in 1966 to prevent a storm surge from flooding Providence ever again. It is believed that his barrier spared the city from Hurricane Gloria in 1985.

[HockeyFan]

Not to take away from the significance of those hurricanes, but it seems a rare enough occurance that I could deal with it. And, it sounds like the city has taken proactive steps to protect the city.

[GermanSpy]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

Not to take away from the significance of those hurricanes, but it seems a rare enough occurance that I could deal with it. And, it sounds like the city has taken proactive steps to protect the city.

Lots has been done in Providence regarding a hurricane. You shouldn't just dismiss the hurriance risk though. It's there. And while initially no flooding may occur, please do keep in mind that if we get a category three hurricane there's a good chance that power will go down for quite a while. If that happens, we're looking at failing sewage plants, failing telecommunication and failing water supply. I believe that the utilities have emergency backup power for about three days - once those pass and power isn't back up you're looking at raw sewage flooding.

It won't be pretty and after seeing what happened in New Orleans I doubt FEMA will be coming to the rescue in time.

And if you really plan to move into the 903...well...the river is right there, so better get a 2nd floor place.

[skytrekker]

Rhode Island has a moderate risk to hurricanes. The 1938 'Great New England Hurricane' left 13 feet of water in parts of downtown Providence. Though much has been done to lower risks of a similar event like this happening again.

Most of New England -especially eastern New England 'juts' out into the Atlantic, making it vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms and 'nor' easters' . With climate change- the region might increase its risk factors of hurricanes, sea rise and other storms causing flooding and or damage.

Home owners insurance will rise as one lives closer to hurricane and flood prone areas. The same has happened in coastal Connecticut.

As for insurance premiums- the cost could be $1,000 a year or more in Newport- to half that in greater Providence.

[HockeyFan]

It's just hard for someone who hasn't lived there to picture a huge risk in Rhode Island -- yes, I know the risk is there, and I definitely believe there is a risk, but most Atlantic hurricanes seem to make landfall significantly further south. But then again, even Toronto was hit by Hurricane Hazel -- so yes, it clearly is possible.

The premiums do not sound like they're so significant as to swing a decision.

LOL to the second floor comment... good point though!

Noreasters seem like more of a day-to-day concern in terms of strong storms, although I've been through many miserable winter storms. Not fun at all... but every place has some drawbacks.

[Signora]

I lived in RI for a significant part of my life growing up. My parents are still there... on Aquidneck Island.
The hurricanes I remember most vividly are Gloria and Fran. I was away when Bob hit, but remember seeing the significant beach damage that he caused when I then returned home.
Given the position of our home (top of a tall hill) our concern was wind damage more than anything, but I had many friends who were forced to evacuate (the price you pay for a beach access home!).
There are many areas in RI that are extremely prone to hurricane related flood damage and I have heard predictions of areas like Barrington being completely under water.
The insurance question has been a sore subject in the Ocean State. You should look up the subject in the Providence Journal to get an idea. The thought has been that the companies are trying to make back the money they lost in Katrina on the backs of other coastal communities. Some of the premium changes have been nothing short of ridiculous. There have been homes deemed a flood risk that are so far up or in from the water that insurance would be the last thing people would worry about if a flood actually occurred there! It would be more like a "there goes the East Coast" kind of event! People are also being refused when their policies come up for renewal. It is a situation that has to be dealt with.

As far as feeling at risk... I always felt less "at risk" in RI than I have in Iowa, Ohio, and WI. Tornadoes scare me way more than hurricanes! Hurricanes, especially as far up as RI you can watch meandering up the coast and you have time to prepare your home and watch all the people run out and buy up all the milk and bread. Tornadoes don't give you the luxury of time to prepare! If you know a hurricane is coming, you don't send your kids to school that day. If a tornado hits... you hope they are safe in the school. I know that they have made great strides in predicting tornadoes... but hurricanes can be monitored from birth to death.

I think the greatest problems arise when one hasn't hit for some time and people get lulled into a false sense of security. I remember the biggest problems during the hurricanes that I experienced being looters and idiots who decided to have hurricane parties in beach homes (putting not only their drunk moronic selves in danger... but also the lives of the brave people charged with rescuing them!)

Don't let the thought of hurricanes discourage you from living in RI. The reasons I moved away were traffic, attitude, and cost of living! I do love to visit, though!

Good luck!

[wavehunter007]

Hockyfan,

I have spent many years studying climate and weather and perhaps I can set your mind at ease. So a few things to keep in mind…….

Rhode Island has been hit with hurricanes in 1904, 1916, 1938, 1944, 1954 (2 hurricanes, 1 was minor), 1960, 1976, 1985, 1991. The hurricanes of 1938, 1944, 1954 were major hurricanes in Rhode Island. Major hurricanes seem to hit in cycles. In Rhode Island – the 1938 to 1955 period had the most major hurricanes. There has been a lull of major hurricanes (cat 3 or higher) for about 45 years. Hurricanes hit the Northeast coast about once every 10 years on average. It has been 16 years since any hurricane has hit the Northeast coast.

A large number of hurricane have weakened to below hurricane force (sustained winds of 75-mph or higher) but have hit Rhode Island with tropical storm conditions (winds 40 to 70-mph), torrential rain, and tidal flooding. Hurricane Hazel was NOT a hurricane in Rhode Island, only a tropical storm. Despite what the media like the Weather Channel tries to hype up – noreasters are a once or twice a year occurrence (from late November to March) from Rhode Island southward, and most locations from Rhode Island south - will see RAIN not snow.

A common misnomer among many people (particularly residents on the West Coast) is the that the further south one is on the Atlantic coast – the higher the hurricane risk (i.e. risk higher in central Florida than Virginia Beach, or higher in Georgia than North Carolina).

This is false.

Most of the areas on the U.S. mainland that stick out into the Atlantic Ocean have the highest risk. For example, the Outer Banks of North Carolina (which sticks out into the Atlantic) have a higher hurricane risk than all of central Florida, Georgia, or South Carolina. Southeastern Connecticut, eastern Long Island, and Rhode Island (which stick out into the ocean) have a higher hurricane risk than the northwest coast of Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, or New Jersey. From Cape Cod, Massachuttess northward - hurricanes landfalls are quite rare, because the water is too cold (less than 70 F in summer and fall) to support a tropical system for long.

Of course coming from California and the frigid Pacific – 68 F surf temperatures will seem warm to you. Many of us on the East Coast are used to 85 F water temperatures off South Florida or South Carolina when we are on vacation. Even the water off Rhode Island/ Long Island, or New Jersey will seem warm to you in summer – the current surf temp is 78 F.


THE GOOD NEWS -

1. Hurricanes are a rare event – I would live in Rhode Island or Miami, or New Orleans, or anywhere from Texas to Massachusetts near the coast. You have a very good chance of living many years without out ever experiencing a major hurricane in your immediate area. In the hurricanes of 38 and 54 – buildings blew away, roofs were ripped off, whole communites were swept out to sea, people staggered around for days with no food, water, or shelter, electricity was out, and coastal communities were cut off for days. It’s very rare - but it can and has happened here before. You must however BE PREPARED, and HAVE A PLAN in just in case.

2. There is at least 18 hours warning of a hurricane or a major hurricane threat. So you
will have able time to prepare, or buy supplies/get ready. With the hype of things like the Weather Channel, its unlikely you won’t know about it days ahead of time.


Just remember -

Rhode Island is very vulnerable to storm surges from hurricanes. Although most people think of the hurricane as a spectacle of wind fury (and this is the case many times), 8 out of 10 people who die in a hurricane are killed in the storm surge. In 1938 – more than 350 people were killed in a terrible hurricane in RI, NY, and CT, which hit near the end of beach season (late September). Many people who were still on vacation or in beach cottages - drowned in the huge ocean surge on the beaches, and in bays and tidal marsh communities. Many hurricane scientist still believe that with the exception of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 – the Hurricane of 38 in NY, CT, RI still had the highest know storm surge modern history on the Atlantic coast (including Florida!) So be warned - many parts of southern Rhode Island are low, and in many spots marsh and tidal wetlands have homes only 6 or 8 feet above sea level.

An excellent site about Rhode Island hurricanes is at www. geocities.com/hurricanene/ they have a great section on the North Atlantic States and Rhode Island.



Good luck!

[wxjay]

If the hurricane issue is your only teetering point for moving to RI, I wouldn't let it sway you. As mentioned already, the events are rare, and events like the Hurricane of 38 are even rarer. For RI to get the worst in terms of storm surge, hurricanes have to strike to the west of the state. Climatologically, however, most hurricanes recurve and head out either SE of New England or through Cape Cod, sparing RI the worst in terms of massive storm surge. Wind and flooding damage are of course a concern, but honestly, similar damage (or worse!) could be seen from straight-line winds and heavy rains in thunderstorm clusters throughout the US. Unfortunately, there is no place that is completely disaster-proof. It's just making sure you are prepared and ready to take action when necessary.

[mikey2]

Good posts.
The providence Journal ran two separate articles several months ago about Ins Companies canceling 10,000 policies this year in R.I. to "reduce their exposure" as they feel R.I. is due for a hurricane (whenever that happens)
A friend of mine lives in the center of Jamestown (not near any water) and has already been canceled.
A coworker lives in Barrington and is trying to sell before this issue gets more publicity and his home loses value.
There are lessons to be learned from Florida which has very strict hurricane codes:
1). Houses built in the 60's, 70's and 80's got decimated by hurricanes because of their poor construction. Older homes help up better and so did new homes (because of their strict hurricane codes). So one would have to assume that if a 1938 type hurricane struck again, it's going to be a disaster. No homes in Rl are built to any hurricane code, that I'm aware of.
2). Trees, etc. become nasty projectiles and R.I. is loaded with them near housing.
3). R.I. coastline is overbuilt and vulnerable. While in Florida I noticed that except for the very rich, many people (like myself) have only considered housing AWAY from the coastline and flood zones. Hell, you can drive to the beach in 15 minutes anyway.
4). Insurance rates are going to go up a lot.