Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Avon, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avon gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2001.
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 Avon 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
Earthquakes
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 Avon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Avon, and Avon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 283 in Massachusetts; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Avon’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, Avon has less expected damage per building than 100% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $976K a year in losses across Avon: $896K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Avon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Avon, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Avon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Avon
Disasters that paid out in Avon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Avon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$12K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$117K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$42K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$21K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Avon for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding88 households applied for aid$196K aid approved$109K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$40K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2003Snow$34K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the Town of Avon for repairs
- 2001Snow$29K to the Town of Avon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Norfolk 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.
Old photos of Avon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Avon archive →Avon and its neighbors
Avon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Stoughton | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Holbrook | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Randolph Town | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Avon 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Avon
Is Avon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avon has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (19%). 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 Avon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Avon since 2001, $717 in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Avon 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Avon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Avon’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 Avon?
By FEMA money that reached Avon, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 88 households applied for aid, $196K approved, and $109K to the Town of Avon for repairs.
Is Avon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Avon’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Avon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Avon’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.