Photo: Richard B. Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Athol faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athol gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #273 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1984.
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 Athol 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 Athol’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Athol, and Athol’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #273 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Athol’s residents live in 3 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, Athol has more expected damage per building than 96% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Athol: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Athol flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Athol, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Athol 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Athol
Disasters that paid out in Athol itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Athol), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$46K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$33K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$71K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$9K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$95K to the Town of Athol for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$37K to the Town of Athol for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Athol for repairs
- 2001Snow$26K to the Town of Athol 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 Athol after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Athol archive →Athol and its neighbors
Athol is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersham | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Phillipston | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| New Salem | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Royalston | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Orange | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Athol | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Athol 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 Athol
Is Athol at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Athol has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #273 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Athol flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Athol since 1984, $22K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Athol 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 Athol?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Athol’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 Athol?
By FEMA money that reached Athol, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $95K to the Town of Athol for repairs.
Is Athol at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Athol’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Athol.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Athol’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.