Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Hanover’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #60 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Hanover 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 Hanover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hanover, and Hanover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A #60 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hanover’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, Hanover has less expected damage per building than 79% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Hanover: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hanover flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hanover, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $48K
- Hurricane Bob1 claim · $4K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Hanover 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hanover
Disasters that paid out in Hanover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hanover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$159K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$30K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$239K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$41K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$35K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$36K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Hurricane Earl$4K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding227 households applied for aid$555K aid approved$30K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$82K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2003Snow$71K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2003Snow$53K to the Town of Hanover 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 Hanover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hanover archive →Hanover and its neighbors
Hanover is 2nd of the 5 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 |
| Hanover | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Rockland | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hanson | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Norwell | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| North Pembroke | — | 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 Hanover 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 Hanover
Is Hanover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #60 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hanover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Hanover since 1980, $69K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (3).
Is Hanover 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 Hanover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hanover’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 Hanover?
By FEMA money that reached Hanover, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 227 households applied for aid, $555K approved, and $30K to the Town of Hanover for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $48K.
Is Hanover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Hanover’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hanover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hanover’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.