Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in East Bridgewater than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Bridgewater gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #185 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 East Bridgewater 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 East Bridgewater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Bridgewater, and East Bridgewater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #185 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Bridgewater’s residents live in 4 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, East Bridgewater has more expected damage per building than 65% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across East Bridgewater: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Bridgewater flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Bridgewater, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $34K
East Bridgewater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Bridgewater
Disasters that paid out in East Bridgewater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Bridgewater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$147K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$24K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$140K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$23K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$25K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding267 households applied for aid$500K aid approved$58K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$62K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
- 2003Snow$58K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
- 2003Snow$35K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Bridgewater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Bridgewater archive →East Bridgewater and its neighbors
East Bridgewater is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanson | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Whitman | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Brockton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 267 |
| Bridgewater Town | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Halifax | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Bridgewater | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 East Bridgewater 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 East Bridgewater
Is East Bridgewater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Bridgewater has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #185 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Bridgewater flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in East Bridgewater since 1978, $100K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% 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 East Bridgewater 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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Bridgewater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Bridgewater’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 East Bridgewater?
By FEMA money that reached East Bridgewater, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 267 households applied for aid, $500K approved, and $58K to the Town of East Bridgewater for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $34K.
Is East Bridgewater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and East Bridgewater’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Bridgewater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Bridgewater’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.