Photo: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cambridge than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #116 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1985.
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 Cambridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cambridge 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 Cambridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cambridge, and Cambridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #116 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cambridge’s residents live in 33 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, Cambridge has less expected damage per building than 59% of Massachusetts towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Cambridge has lower expected damage per building than 90% (#40 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $18.3M, is the 391th largest of those 400.
Does Cambridge flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cambridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter9 claims · $328K
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $1K
Cambridge is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cambridge
Disasters that paid out in Cambridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cambridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$622K to the City of Cambridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$834K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$507K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$95K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$304K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Earl$13K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding106 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$220K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$2K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$335K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2003Snow$232K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2003Snow$205K to the City of Cambridge for repairs
- 2001Snow$267K to the City of Cambridge for repairs3 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 Cambridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cambridge archive →Cambridge and its neighbors
Cambridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Cambridge | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Watertown | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Somerville | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Belmont | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Arlington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 410 |
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 Cambridge 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.
- Cambridge residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cambridge
Is Cambridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cambridge has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #116 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cambridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Cambridge since 1985, $2.0M in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (9).
Is Cambridge 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 Cambridge?
Cambridge is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cambridge?
By FEMA money that reached Cambridge, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $834K to the City of Cambridge for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 9 paid, $328K.
Is Cambridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Cambridge’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cambridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cambridge’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.