Photo: Asn87 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Dighton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dighton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #108 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 Dighton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dighton 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 Dighton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dighton, and Dighton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #108 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dighton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dighton has less expected damage per building than 62% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Dighton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dighton flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dighton, from FEMA’s records: 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob17 claims · $204K
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $546K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $54K
Dighton 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dighton
Disasters that paid out in Dighton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dighton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$17K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$43K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$54K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$21K to the Town of Dighton for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $54K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$35K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding40 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$84K to the Town of Dighton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$34K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Dighton for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Dighton 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 Dighton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dighton archive →Dighton and its neighbors
Dighton is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Swansea | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Dighton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Berkley | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Taunton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
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 Dighton 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 Dighton
Is Dighton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dighton has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #108 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dighton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Dighton since 1978, $982K in all, or 17.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (17).
Is Dighton 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 Dighton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dighton’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 Dighton?
By FEMA money that reached Dighton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 40 households applied for aid, $80K approved, and $84K to the Town of Dighton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 17 paid, $204K.
Is Dighton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Dighton’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dighton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dighton’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.