Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Auburn faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #84 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Auburn 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 Auburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburn, and Auburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #84 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Auburn’s residents live in 5 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, Auburn has less expected damage per building than 71% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Auburn: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburn flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburn, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $4K
Auburn 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.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Auburn
Disasters that paid out in Auburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Auburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$75K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$97K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$77K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$104K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$21K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$15K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$161K to the Town of Auburn for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$23K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$59K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$966 aid approved
- 2003Snow$28K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Auburn for repairs
- 2001Snow$39K to the Town of Auburn 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 Auburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburn archive →Auburn and its neighbors
Auburn is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Auburn | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Millbury | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Worcester | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
| Oxford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Auburn 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 Auburn
Is Auburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #84 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Auburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Auburn since 1978, $97K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Auburn 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 Auburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Auburn’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 Auburn?
By FEMA money that reached Auburn, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $161K to the Town of Auburn for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Auburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Auburn’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburn’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.