Old Douglas Center Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Douglas than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Douglas gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #141 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims 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 Douglas 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 Douglas’ grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Douglas, and Douglas’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #141 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Douglas’ 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, Douglas has less expected damage per building than 50% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Douglas: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Douglas flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Douglas, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Douglas 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Douglas
Disasters that paid out in Douglas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Douglas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$80K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$36K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$22K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$36K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$29K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$53K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2003Snow$34K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2003Snow$28K to the Town of Douglas for repairs
- 2001Snow$24K to the Town of Douglas 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 Douglas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Douglas archive →Douglas and its neighbors
Douglas is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Douglas | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Oxford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Uxbridge | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Webster | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Burrillville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Thompson | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Douglas 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 Douglas
Is Douglas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Douglas has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #141 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Douglas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Douglas since 1979, $5K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Douglas 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 Douglas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Douglas’ 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 Douglas?
By FEMA money that reached Douglas, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 37 households applied for aid, $57K approved, and $36K to the Town of Douglas for repairs.
Is Douglas at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Douglas’ rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Douglas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Douglas’ 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.