Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0For coastal flooding, Ipswich’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ipswich gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #244 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then coastal flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 Ipswich’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ipswich 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
Coastal 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 Ipswich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ipswich, and Ipswich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #244 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ipswich’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, Ipswich has more expected damage per building than 86% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Ipswich: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ipswich flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ipswich, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm5 claims · $139K
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $32K
Ipswich isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ipswich
Disasters that paid out in Ipswich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ipswich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$91K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$190K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$126K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$91K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$12K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding91 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$32K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$25K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding186 households applied for aid$299K aid approved$200K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$79K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2004Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2003Snow$57K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2003Snow$35K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
- 2001Snow$42K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs
Essex County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ipswich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ipswich archive →Ipswich and its neighbors
Ipswich is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Topsfield | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Boxford | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Gloucester | B+less damage than 70% | coastal flooding | 322 |
| Rowley | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ipswich | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Essex | Cmore damage than 67% | coastal flooding | 85 |
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 Ipswich 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ipswich
Is Ipswich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ipswich has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #244 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and coastal flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ipswich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Ipswich since 1978, $404K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (5).
Is Ipswich 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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ipswich?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ipswich’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 Ipswich?
By FEMA money that reached Ipswich, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 186 households applied for aid, $299K approved, and $200K to the Town of Ipswich for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 5 paid, $139K.
Is Ipswich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Ipswich’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ipswich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ipswich’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.