Photo: T.S. Custadio ToddC4176 15:19, 11 March 2007 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Halifax faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Halifax gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #168 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Halifax 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 Halifax’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Halifax, and Halifax’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #168 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Halifax’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, Halifax has more expected damage per building than 59% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Halifax: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Halifax flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Halifax, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Halifax isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Halifax
Disasters that paid out in Halifax itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Halifax), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$88K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$37K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$34K to the Town of Halifax for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$16K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$32K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding124 households applied for aid$245K aid approved$46K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$47K to the Town of Halifax for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$29K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
- 2003Snow$28K to the Town of Halifax for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Halifax after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Halifax archive →Halifax and its neighbors
Halifax is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hanson | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Plympton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bridgewater Town | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Middleborough | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Halifax | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Bridgewater | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Halifax 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 Halifax
Is Halifax at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Halifax has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #168 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Halifax flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Halifax since 1982, $9K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Halifax 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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Halifax?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Halifax’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 Halifax?
By FEMA money that reached Halifax, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 124 households applied for aid, $245K approved, and $46K to the Town of Halifax for repairs.
Is Halifax at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Halifax’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Halifax.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Halifax’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.