Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Brockton faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brockton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #145 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 267 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 Brockton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brockton 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 Brockton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brockton, and Brockton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #145 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brockton’s residents live in 23 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, Brockton has more expected damage per building than 51% of Massachusetts towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Brockton has lower expected damage per building than 86% (#56 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $14.9M, is the 397th largest of those 400.
Does Brockton flood? Yes: 267 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brockton, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter59 claims · $443K
- The December Storm - nor’easter12 claims · $26K
Brockton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brockton
Disasters that paid out in Brockton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brockton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$441K to the City of Brockton for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$74K to the City of Brockton for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$602K to the City of Brockton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$53K to the City of Brockton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$95K to the City of Brockton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$152K to the City of Brockton for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1,404 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$140K to the City of Brockton for repairs63 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding251 households applied for aid$522K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$571K to the City of Brockton for repairs
- 2003Snow$344K to the City of Brockton for repairs
- 2003Snow$342K to the City of Brockton for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Brockton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brockton archive →Brockton and its neighbors
Brockton is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bridgewater | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Whitman | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Easton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Abington | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Brockton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 267 |
| East Bridgewater | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Brockton 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 Brockton
Is Brockton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brockton has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #145 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brockton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 267 claims in Brockton since 1978, $2.1M in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (59).
Is Brockton 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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brockton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brockton’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 Brockton?
By FEMA money that reached Brockton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 1,404 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $140K to the City of Brockton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 59 paid, $443K.
Is Brockton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Brockton’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brockton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brockton’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.