Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ashburnham faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashburnham gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #127 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Ashburnham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ashburnham 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 Ashburnham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashburnham, and Ashburnham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #127 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ashburnham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ashburnham has less expected damage per building than 55% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Ashburnham: $887K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashburnham flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashburnham, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Ashburnham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashburnham
Disasters that paid out in Ashburnham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ashburnham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$25K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$28K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$25K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$164K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$24K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
- 2001Snow$18K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs
Worcester County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ashburnham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashburnham archive →Ashburnham and its neighbors
Ashburnham is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashby | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westminster | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Gardner | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ashburnham | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Winchendon | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fitchburg | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| South Ashburnham | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Ashburnham 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 Ashburnham
Is Ashburnham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashburnham has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #127 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ashburnham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ashburnham since 2010, $5K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Ashburnham 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 Worcester County, 65% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashburnham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashburnham’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 Ashburnham?
By FEMA money that reached Ashburnham, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $164K to the Town of Ashburnham for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Ashburnham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Ashburnham’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashburnham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashburnham’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.