East Freetown Historic District · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Freetown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freetown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #150 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 Freetown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Freetown 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 Freetown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freetown, and Freetown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #150 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freetown’s residents live in 2 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, Freetown has more expected damage per building than 53% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Freetown: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freetown flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freetown, from FEMA’s records: 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter16 claims · $184K
- Hurricane Bob8 claims · $63K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $12K
Freetown 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freetown
Disasters that paid out in Freetown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Freetown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$82K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$60K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$68K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$12K to the Town of Freetown for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$15K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$2.5M to the Town of Freetown for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$31K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Freetown for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Freetown 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 Freetown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freetown archive →Freetown and its neighbors
Freetown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Acushnet | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Berkley | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fall River | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lakeville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Freetown | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
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 Freetown 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 Freetown
Is Freetown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freetown has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #150 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freetown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Freetown since 1991, $292K in all, or 10.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (16).
Is Freetown 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 Freetown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freetown’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 Freetown?
By FEMA money that reached Freetown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $2.5M to the Town of Freetown for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 16 paid, $184K.
Is Freetown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Freetown’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freetown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freetown’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.