Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lakeville than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #132 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Lakeville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lakeville 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 Lakeville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakeville, and Lakeville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #132 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakeville’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, Lakeville has less expected damage per building than 54% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Lakeville: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakeville flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakeville, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter21 claims · $629K
Lakeville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lakeville
Disasters that paid out in Lakeville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lakeville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$42K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$53K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$5K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$15K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$22K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding506 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$98K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$41K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs
- 2003Snow$38K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of Lakeville 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 Lakeville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakeville archive →Lakeville and its neighbors
Lakeville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Freetown | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Middleborough | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Taunton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| North Lakeville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Middleborough Center | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Lakeville 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 Lakeville
Is Lakeville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeville has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #132 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakeville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Lakeville since 1978, $682K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (21).
Is Lakeville 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 Lakeville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakeville’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 Lakeville?
By FEMA money that reached Lakeville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 506 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $98K to the Town of Lakeville for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 21 paid, $629K.
Is Lakeville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Lakeville’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakeville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakeville’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.