- American Red Cross / Cruz Roja Americana Rhode Island
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- National Grid Life-Sustaining Equipment Registration
- National Grid Outage Central
- National Guard Rhode Island
- National Hurricane Center
- Ready.gov
- United Way 2-1-1 Rhode Island
- US Environmental Protection Agency
State of Rhode Island: Emergency Management Agency
RI Hurricane Evacuation Maps and Information
The Rhode Island Hurricane Evacuation Maps were prepared in coordination with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and local communities and are based on worst-case scenario hurricane inundation maps. In January 2006, the evacuation routes, traffic control points, and sign locations were finalized by each participating Rhode Island coastal city and town. The data was also submitted to the Rhode Island Geographic Information System.
Using storm surge modeling techniques, the shaded land areas depicted on the maps are recommended to be evacuated prior to a hurricane due to potential surge flooding from hurricanes of “worst case” meteorological conditions. Inland areas which may be exposed to fresh water flooding only are NOT included within evacuation zones.
Map Facts:
The shelters displayed on the maps are Red Cross approved shelters. Contact local officials regarding any additional city or town approved shelters. - If you reside in a green shaded area, on one of the maps below, you most likely would be affected by any hurricane regardless of category.
- If you reside in a yellow shaded area, on one of the maps below, you most likely would be affected by any category 3 hurricane (with a forward speed of 21 miles per hour or greater) or category 4 hurricane.
- If you reside in either of these areas, you should be aware of the evacuation routes in your community.
Blue Emergency Evacuation Route Signs:
There are round blue Emergency Evacuation Route signs posted throughout coastal communities in Rhode Island. These signs lead people away from low lying and potentially dangerous areas (shaded in green and yellow) to higher safer ground. These signs DO NOT necessarily lead to shelters or a particular place. If you reside in these shaded areas, you should be aware of the evacuation routes in your community and have an idea of where you would evacuate to.
Remember for a smooth evacuation, everyone should have A Family / Personal Evacuation Plan with pre-identified ideas of places to go. To find out what shelters are open call your municipality's police department or emergency management agency.
Current Hurricane Evacuation Maps for Coastal Communities:
Click on the city or town name to view the map. You need the latest version of Adobe Reader to view these files.
- Barrington (PDF Document)
- Bristol (PDF Document)
- Charlestown (PDF Document)
- Cranston (PDF Document)
- East Greenwich (PDF Document)
- East Providence (PDF Document)
- Hopkinton (PDF Document)
- Jamestown (PDF Document)
- Little Compton (PDF Document)
- Middletown (PDF Document)
- Narragansett (PDF Document)
- Newport (PDF Document)
- North Kingstown (PDF Document)
- Pawtucket (PDF Document)
- Portsmouth (PDF Document)
- Providence (PDF Document)
- Richmond (PDF Document)
- South Kingstown (PDF Document)
- Tiverton (PDF Document)
- Warren (PDF Document)
- Warwick (PDF Document)
- Westerly (PDF Document)
Evacuation is Never Easy and Evacuees Should Be Prepared
The amount of time it takes to evacuate an area depends upon a variety of factors that include the size of the vulnerable population, high hazard areas and transportation routes. Evacuation is a difficult process for not only the evacuee who may spend hours waiting in traffic, but also for those emergency officials who must devote their skills to ensuring residents are moving as quickly and safely as possible.