Photo: Hantsheroes · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Dudley than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dudley gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #205 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1998.
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 Dudley 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 Dudley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dudley, and Dudley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #205 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dudley’s residents live in 3 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, Dudley has more expected damage per building than 72% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Dudley: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dudley flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dudley, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dudley 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dudley
Disasters that paid out in Dudley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dudley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$38K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$29K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$24K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$39K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$110K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$24K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2003Snow$20K to the Town of Dudley for repairs
- 2001Snow$19K to the Town of Dudley 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 Dudley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dudley archive →Dudley and its neighbors
Dudley is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dudley | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Webster | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Southbridge Town | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Dudley 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 Dudley
Is Dudley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dudley has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #205 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dudley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Dudley since 1998, $21K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dudley 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 Dudley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dudley’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 Dudley?
By FEMA money that reached Dudley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 8 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $110K to the Town of Dudley for repairs.
Is Dudley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Dudley’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dudley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dudley’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.