Fort Phoenix · Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · CC0FEMA puts Fairhaven’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairhaven gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #75 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then coastal flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 336 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 Fairhaven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fairhaven 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
Coastal 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 Fairhaven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairhaven, and Fairhaven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 22%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A #75 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairhaven’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, Fairhaven has less expected damage per building than 74% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Fairhaven: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairhaven flood? Yes: 336 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairhaven, from FEMA’s records: 44.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob210 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Sandy10 claims · $163K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $23K
Fairhaven 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairhaven
Disasters that paid out in Fairhaven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fairhaven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$75K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$70K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$84K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$16K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $163K
Show all 13
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$74K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$10K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$41K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs
- 2003Snow$27K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairhaven archive →Fairhaven and its neighbors
Fairhaven is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acushnet | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| New Bedford | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Fairhaven | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 336 |
| Mattapoisett | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 389 |
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 Fairhaven 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Fairhaven
Is Fairhaven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairhaven has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #75 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and coastal flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairhaven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 336 claims in Fairhaven since 1978, $3.7M in all, or 44.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (210).
Is Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairhaven’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 Fairhaven?
By FEMA money that reached Fairhaven, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2013): $84K to the Town of Fairhaven for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 210 paid, $3.0M.
Is Fairhaven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Fairhaven’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairhaven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairhaven’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.