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Rhode Island hurricane guide

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) coordinates the state's response to hurricanes and other disasters, working with an emergency manager in each city and town. Rhode Island has no county governments, so local officials make most evacuation decisions. Hurricane evacuation zones A and B are mapped for 21 coastal communities. Find your town's map, sign up for alerts, and follow orders from your town and the state.

Checked on October 5, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA). In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Counties

Choose your county. Each county page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.

More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Emergency 911 Police, fire, and ambulance. Call only when someone's life or property is in danger.
Emergency management office 401-946-9996 RIEMA, 645 New London Ave, Cranston. Office line. Not for emergencies.
211 Rhode Island 211 Free, confidential help finding services, day or night. Run by United Way of Rhode Island. You can also text 898-211 or call 401-519-0360. It is not an emergency line.
Special needs registration 401-222-5960 Rhode Island Department of Health RISNER team. Register before a storm if you will need help during an emergency.
Power outage (Rhode Island Energy) 855-743-1102 You can also text OUTAGE to 743674. To report a downed power line, call 855-743-1101 and stay away from it. For a gas leak, leave and call 911 or 800-640-1595.
Power outage (Block Island Power) 401-466-5851 For customers on Block Island, as listed by RIEMA.

Official alerts and information

  • CodeRED emergency notifications (RIEMA): RIEMA asks you to sign up for CodeRED to get emergency notifications. Ask your town emergency manager whether your town also has its own alert signup. Website.

Statewide resources

  • Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency: Statewide preparedness, evacuation maps, and news. Website.
  • Hurricane evacuation zones and maps (RIEMA): Zone A is recommended for evacuation before an expected category 1 or 2 hurricane, and Zone B before a category 3 or 4. Maps are listed by community. Local officials commonly decide when to order an evacuation. Website.
  • Emergency managers by city and town (RIEMA): Phone numbers for each city and town emergency manager. Towns run local emergency management and shelters. Website.
  • RIDOT traveler information: Road and travel information, and links to the Block Island ferry and other ferries. Website.
  • Power outage maps (RIEMA): Outage maps and phone numbers for Rhode Island Energy, Block Island Power, and Clear River Electric and Water District. Website.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

Shelters in Rhode Island are run by cities and towns, and they open only when officials announce them. RIEMA advises you to learn where your town's shelter is before a storm. Follow your town's alerts and website to learn whether a shelter is open.

Help to evacuate

  • Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry (RISNER): Run by the Department of Health with RIEMA. Information is shared with local and state first responders. It does not guarantee assistance. A family member or caregiver can enroll for you. Phone: 401-222-5960. Website.

Radio, TV and weather

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts

  • National Weather Service Boston/Norton: Local forecasts, watches, and warnings. The office is in Norton, Massachusetts. Website.
  • National Hurricane Center: Official hurricane forecasts, watches, and warnings. Website.

Power, water and debris

  • Rhode Island Energy: Outage reporting and map for most of Rhode Island. For a downed power line call 855-743-1101 and stay away. Customers who rely on life-sustaining equipment can call 855-743-1101 to join its notice list. Phone: 855-743-1102. Website.
  • Block Island Power: Electric service on Block Island, as listed by RIEMA. Phone: 401-466-5851. Website.

Sources

Checked on October 5, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.