Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Charlton faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #143 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Charlton 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 Charlton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charlton, and Charlton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #143 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charlton’s residents live in 2 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, Charlton has more expected damage per building than 50% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Charlton: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charlton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charlton, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Charlton 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 Charlton
Disasters that paid out in Charlton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Charlton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$55K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$56K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$14K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
Show all 14
- 2011Severe Storms and Tornadoes12 households applied for aid$135 aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$15K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$125K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$86K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$43K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2003Snow$29K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2003Snow$28K to the Town of Charlton for repairs
- 2001Snow$37K to the Town of Charlton 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 Charlton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charlton archive →Charlton and its neighbors
Charlton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Charlton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oxford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sturbridge | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Brookfield | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Southbridge Town | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Charlton 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 Charlton
Is Charlton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlton has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #143 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charlton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Charlton since 1979, $17K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Charlton 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 Charlton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Charlton’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 Charlton?
By FEMA money that reached Charlton, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $125K to the Town of Charlton for repairs.
Is Charlton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Charlton’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charlton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charlton’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.