Photo: Tim Pierce · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Arlington than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #262 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 410 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Arlington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arlington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Arlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arlington, and Arlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C #262 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arlington’s residents live in 9 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Arlington has more expected damage per building than 93% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.0M a year in losses across Arlington: $11.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arlington flood? Yes: 410 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arlington, from FEMA’s records: 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter51 claims · $738K
- The April 2007 nor’easter12 claims · $10K
Arlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arlington
Disasters that paid out in Arlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Arlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$189K to the Town of Arlington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$258K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$258K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$67K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$75K to the Town of Arlington for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$133K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding399 households applied for aid$696K aid approved$170K to the Town of Arlington for repairs64 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$27K to the Town of Arlington for repairs27 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$133K to the Town of Arlington for repairs47 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Flooding12 households applied for aid$24K aid approved38 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$105K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2003Snow$90K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2001Snow$126K to the Town of Arlington for repairs40 flood claims paid that year
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Arlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arlington archive →Arlington and its neighbors
Arlington is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Cambridge | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Somerville | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Belmont | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Winchester | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 145 |
| Medford | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Arlington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 410 |
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 Arlington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Arlington
Is Arlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #262 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 410 claims in Arlington since 1978, $2.2M in all, or 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 39 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (51).
Is Arlington 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arlington’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 Arlington?
By FEMA money that reached Arlington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 399 households applied for aid, $696K approved, and $170K to the Town of Arlington for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 51 paid, $738K.
Is Arlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Arlington’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arlington’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.