Photo: Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Hull’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hull gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #281 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (74%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 1,980 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 Hull’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hull faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
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 Hull’s grade
Coastal flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hull, and Hull’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
D #281 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hull’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, Hull has more expected damage per building than 99% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Hull: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hull flood? Yes: 1,980 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hull, from FEMA’s records: 339.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm480 claims · $4.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter231 claims · $1.2M
Hull is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hull
Disasters that paid out in Hull itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hull), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$77K to the Town of Hull for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$1.6M to the Town of Hull for repairs102 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$235K to the Town of Hull for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$125K to the Town of Hull for repairs39 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$71K to the Town of Hull for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$121K to the Town of Hull for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$50K aid approved88 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$82K to the Town of Hull for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$71K to the Town of Hull for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$31K to the Town of Hull for repairs
- 2003Snow$30K to the Town of Hull 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 Hull after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hull archive →Hull and its neighbors
Hull is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Hingham | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Weymouth Town | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 214 |
| Cohasset | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 107 |
| Quincy | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1,430 |
| Hull | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 1,980 |
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 Hull faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hull residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hull
Is Hull at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hull has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #281 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (74%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hull flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,980 claims in Hull since 1978, $17.9M in all, or 339.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 259 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (480).
Is Hull 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 Hull?
Hull is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hull?
By FEMA money that reached Hull, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2018): $1.6M to the Town of Hull for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 480 paid, $4.9M.
Is Hull at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Hull’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hull.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hull’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.