Photo: ToddC4176 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Dartmouth than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dartmouth gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #9 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 94 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 Dartmouth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dartmouth, and Dartmouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #9 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dartmouth’s residents live in 7 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, Dartmouth has less expected damage per building than 97% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Dartmouth: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dartmouth flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dartmouth, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob42 claims · $548K
- The March 2010 nor’easter4 claims · $16K
- Hurricane Sandy4 claims · $50K
Dartmouth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dartmouth
Disasters that paid out in Dartmouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dartmouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$115K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$246K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$133K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$142K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$135K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $50K
Show all 14
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$104K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2010Hurricane Earl$15K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$73K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$234 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$119K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
- 2003Snow$51K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
- 2003Snow$53K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs
Bristol County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Dartmouth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dartmouth archive →Dartmouth and its neighbors
Dartmouth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| New Bedford | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Westport | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| North Westport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Bliss Corner | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Smith Mills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Gosnold | — | 31 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth
Is Dartmouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dartmouth has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #9 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dartmouth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Dartmouth since 1978, $1.0M in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (42).
Is Dartmouth 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 Bristol County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dartmouth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dartmouth’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 Dartmouth?
By FEMA money that reached Dartmouth, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2018): $246K to the Town of Dartmouth for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 42 paid, $548K.
Is Dartmouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Dartmouth’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dartmouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dartmouth’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.