Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Fall River than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fall River gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #127 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1991.
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 Fall River’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fall River 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 Fall River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fall River, and Fall River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #127 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fall River’s residents live in 26 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, Fall River has less expected damage per building than 55% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Fall River: $11.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fall River flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fall River, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob5 claims · $68K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $14K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $17K
Fall River 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fall River
Disasters that paid out in Fall River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fall River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$364K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$524K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$472K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$109K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$149K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding804 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$636K to the City of Fall River for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$404K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2003Snow$73K to the City of Fall River for repairs
- 2003Snow$107K to the City of Fall River 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 Fall River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fall River archive →Fall River and its neighbors
Fall River is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Tiverton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Westport | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Fall River | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Freetown | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| North Westport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Fall River 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 Fall River
Is Fall River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fall River has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #127 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fall River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Fall River since 1991, $111K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (5).
Is Fall River 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 Fall River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fall River’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 Fall River?
By FEMA money that reached Fall River, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 804 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $636K to the City of Fall River for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 5 paid, $68K.
Is Fall River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Fall River’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fall River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fall River’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.