Photo: Rehua · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Gardner than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gardner gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #87 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Gardner 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 Gardner’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gardner, and Gardner’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #87 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gardner’s residents live in 5 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, Gardner has less expected damage per building than 70% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Gardner: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gardner flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Gardner. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Gardner 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gardner
Disasters that paid out in Gardner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gardner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$67K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$79K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$48K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$4K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$492K to the City of Gardner for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$42K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2004Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Snow$40K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2003Snow$35K to the City of Gardner for repairs
- 2001Snow$42K to the City of Gardner for repairs
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 Gardner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gardner archive →Gardner and its neighbors
Gardner is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hubbardston | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westminster | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Gardner | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Templeton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ashburnham | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Winchendon | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Ashburnham | — | 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 Gardner 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 Gardner
Is Gardner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gardner has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #87 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Gardner 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 Gardner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gardner’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 Gardner?
By FEMA money that reached Gardner, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $492K to the City of Gardner for repairs.
Is Gardner at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Gardner’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gardner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gardner’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.