Benjamin Caryl House · Photo: Tim Pierce · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Dover’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #94 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Dover 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 Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #94 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dover’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, Dover has less expected damage per building than 67% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Dover: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $66K
Dover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$31K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$75K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$55K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$39K to the Town of Dover for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$34K to the Town of Dover for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$48K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2003Snow$44K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2001Snow$27K to the Town of Dover for repairs
Norfolk County has had 29 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 Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Dover and its neighbors
Dover is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westwood | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Natick | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Walpole | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Sherborn | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Needham | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Dover | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Medfield | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wellesley | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 Dover 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 Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #94 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Dover since 1979, $83K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (3).
Is Dover 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’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 Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 42 households applied for aid, $67K approved, and $34K to the Town of Dover for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $66K.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Dover’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’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.