Photo: Nick Allen · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Fitchburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fitchburg gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #220 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fitchburg, and Fitchburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #220 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fitchburg’s residents live in 11 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, Fitchburg has more expected damage per building than 78% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across Fitchburg: $8.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fitchburg flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fitchburg, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $91K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $10K
Fitchburg 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fitchburg
Disasters that paid out in Fitchburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fitchburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$39K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Flooding11 households applied for aid$12K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
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 Fitchburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fitchburg archive →Fitchburg and its neighbors
Fitchburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashby | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westminster | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lunenburg | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leominster | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Ashburnham | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fitchburg | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg
Is Fitchburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fitchburg has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #220 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fitchburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Fitchburg since 1979, $390K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (4).
Is Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fitchburg’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 Fitchburg?
By FEMA money that reached Fitchburg, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 39 households applied for aid, $39K approved. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $91K.
Is Fitchburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Fitchburg’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fitchburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fitchburg’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.