Photo: en:User:LymanSchool (Richard B. Johnson) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Groveland faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groveland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #162 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1980.
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 Groveland 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
Earthquakes
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 Groveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Groveland, and Groveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #162 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Groveland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Groveland has more expected damage per building than 57% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Groveland: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Groveland flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Groveland, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Groveland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Groveland
Disasters that paid out in Groveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Groveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$112K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$49K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$52K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
Show all 14
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$20K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$2K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$18K to the Town of Groveland for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$45K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$112 aid approved
- 2003Snow$39K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
- 2001Snow$37K to the Town of Groveland for repairs
Essex County has had 32 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 Groveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Groveland archive →Groveland and its neighbors
Groveland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Boxford | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Groveland | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| West Newbury | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Newbury | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 199 |
| Haverhill | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
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 Groveland 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Groveland
Is Groveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groveland has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #162 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Groveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Groveland since 1980, $57K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Groveland 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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Groveland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Groveland’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 Groveland?
By FEMA money that reached Groveland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 33 households applied for aid, $72K approved, and $52K to the Town of Groveland for repairs.
Is Groveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Groveland’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Groveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Groveland’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.