Corcoran School · Photo: Tim Pierce · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Clinton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #15 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 24 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 Clinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clinton 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 Clinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton, and Clinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #15 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton’s residents live in 4 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, Clinton has less expected damage per building than 95% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Clinton: $587K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter18 claims · $357K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $8K
Clinton 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$67K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$62K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$59K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$86K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$9K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding168 households applied for aid$357K aid approved$90K to the Town of Clinton for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$146K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$66K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2003Snow$38K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2003Snow$38K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2001Snow$35K to the Town of Clinton 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 Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton archive →Clinton and its neighbors
Clinton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Boylston | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sterling | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lancaster | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Bolton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Berlin | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Clinton 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 Clinton
Is Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #15 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Clinton since 1978, $404K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% 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 (18).
Is Clinton 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 Clinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton’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 Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 168 households applied for aid, $357K approved, and $90K to the Town of Clinton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 18 paid, $357K.
Is Clinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Clinton’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton’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.