More hazard damage per building is expected in Haverhill than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haverhill gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1998.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Haverhill faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Haverhill’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haverhill, and Haverhill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haverhill’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $416K a year in losses across Haverhill: $349K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haverhill flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haverhill, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Frances2 claims · $41K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $1K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $11K
Haverhill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Palm Beach County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Haverhill
Disasters that paid out in Haverhill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Haverhill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian11 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Irma210 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$25K to the Town of Haverhill for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Wilma138 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$146K to the Town of Haverhill for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Jeanne136 households applied for aid$115K aid approved$118K to the Town of Haverhill for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2004Hurricane Frances203 households applied for aid$173K aid approved$86K to the Town of Haverhill for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $41K
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$21K to the Town of Haverhill for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
Palm Beach County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Palm Beach County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Haverhill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haverhill archive →Haverhill and its neighbors
Haverhill is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westgate | C+more damage than 56% | hurricanes | 36 |
| Haverhill | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 6 |
| Royal Palm Estates | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | — |
| Lake Belvedere Estates | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | — |
| Stacey Street | — | 582 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Haverhill faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Haverhill
Is Haverhill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haverhill has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Haverhill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Haverhill since 1998, $70K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Frances (2).
Is Haverhill in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Palm Beach County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Haverhill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haverhill’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Haverhill?
By FEMA money that reached Haverhill, Hurricane Frances (2004): 203 households applied for aid, $173K approved, and $86K to the Town of Haverhill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Frances: 2 paid, $41K.
Is Haverhill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Haverhill’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haverhill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haverhill’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.