Photo: Terageorge~commonswiki · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Holden than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holden gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #58 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 Holden 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 Holden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holden, and Holden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #58 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holden’s residents live in 4 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, Holden has less expected damage per building than 80% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Holden: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holden flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holden, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Holden 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holden
Disasters that paid out in Holden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$56K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$64K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$45K aid approved$36K to the Town of Holden for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$2.3M to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$2K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$60K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Snow$41K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2003Snow$38K to the Town of Holden for repairs
- 2001Snow$40K to the Town of Holden 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 Holden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holden archive →Holden and its neighbors
Holden is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paxton | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rutland | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Boylston | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Holden | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sterling | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Princeton | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Holden 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 Holden
Is Holden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holden has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #58 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Holden since 1984, $2K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Holden 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 Holden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holden’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 Holden?
By FEMA money that reached Holden, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $2.3M to the Town of Holden for repairs.
Is Holden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Holden’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holden’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.