Photo: Smc6287 at English Wikipedia · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Holliston than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holliston gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #121 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Holliston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Holliston 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 Holliston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holliston, and Holliston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #121 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Holliston’s residents live in 3 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, Holliston has less expected damage per building than 57% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Holliston: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holliston flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holliston, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $35K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $15K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $9K
Holliston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holliston
Disasters that paid out in Holliston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holliston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$77K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$65K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$20K to the Town of Holliston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
Show all 15
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding128 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$24K to the Town of Holliston for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$15K to the Town of Holliston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$67K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$92K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2003Snow$61K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
- 2001Snow$86K to the Town of Holliston for repairs
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Holliston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holliston archive →Holliston and its neighbors
Holliston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkinton | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sherborn | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Holliston | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Millis | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Milford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Medway | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Holliston 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 Holliston
Is Holliston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holliston has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #121 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holliston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Holliston since 1978, $122K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (3).
Is Holliston 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holliston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holliston’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 Holliston?
By FEMA money that reached Holliston, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 128 households applied for aid, $172K approved, and $24K to the Town of Holliston for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $35K.
Is Holliston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Holliston’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holliston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holliston’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.