Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Burlington faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #44 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1979.
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 Burlington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burlington 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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #44 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington’s residents live in 6 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, Burlington has less expected damage per building than 85% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Burlington: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $63K
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $6K
Burlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington
Disasters that paid out in Burlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Burlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$168K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$166K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$180K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$14K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$138K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding361 households applied for aid$726K aid approved$157K to the Town of Burlington for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$48K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$114K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2004Flooding13 households applied for aid$10K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$118K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2003Snow$87K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2001Snow$98K to the Town of Burlington for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Burlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington archive →Burlington and its neighbors
Burlington is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woburn | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Burlington | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Bedford | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| Lexington | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Billerica | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 279 |
| Wilmington | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Pinehurst | — | 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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #44 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Burlington since 1979, $190K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Burlington 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington’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 Burlington?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 361 households applied for aid, $726K approved, and $157K to the Town of Burlington for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $63K.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Burlington’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington’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.