Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Holbrook than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holbrook gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #166 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1978.
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 Holbrook’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Holbrook 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 Holbrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holbrook, and Holbrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #166 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holbrook’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, Holbrook has more expected damage per building than 59% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Holbrook: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holbrook flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holbrook, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $302K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $325
Holbrook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holbrook
Disasters that paid out in Holbrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holbrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$46K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$97K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$45K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$20K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding148 households applied for aid$236K aid approved$17K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$42K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2003Snow$38K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs
- 2001Snow$27K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Norfolk County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Holbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holbrook archive →Holbrook and its neighbors
Holbrook is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Holbrook | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Randolph Town | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Braintree Town | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 136 |
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 Holbrook 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 Holbrook
Is Holbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holbrook has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #166 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holbrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Holbrook since 1978, $485K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Holbrook 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holbrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holbrook’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 Holbrook?
By FEMA money that reached Holbrook, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 148 households applied for aid, $236K approved, and $17K to the Town of Holbrook for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $302K.
Is Holbrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Holbrook’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holbrook’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.