Photo: Bob Linsdell · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Chatham than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chatham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #183 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 132 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 Chatham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chatham 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
Coastal flooding
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 Chatham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chatham, and Chatham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #183 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chatham’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, Chatham has more expected damage per building than 65% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Chatham: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chatham flood? Yes: 132 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chatham, from FEMA’s records: 17.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm56 claims · $1.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $16K
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $38K
Chatham is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Barnstable County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chatham
Disasters that paid out in Chatham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chatham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$158K to the Town of Chatham for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$149K to the Town of Chatham for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$30K to the Town of Chatham for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$12K to the Town of Chatham for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$6K to the Town of Chatham for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$173K to the Town of Chatham for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$5K to the Town of Chatham for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$65K to the Town of Chatham for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the Town of Chatham for repairs
- 2003Snow$31K to the Town of Chatham for repairs
Barnstable County has had 18 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 Chatham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chatham archive →Chatham and its neighbors
Chatham is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Chatham | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 132 |
| Harwich | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Harwich Port | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| East Harwich | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| West Chatham | — | 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 Chatham 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Chatham residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chatham
Is Chatham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chatham has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #183 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chatham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 132 claims in Chatham since 1978, $4.0M in all, or 17.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (56).
Is Chatham 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 Barnstable County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chatham?
Chatham is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Chatham?
By FEMA money that reached Chatham, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $173K to the Town of Chatham for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 56 paid, $1.3M.
Is Chatham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Chatham’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chatham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chatham’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.