Shirley Shaker Village · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lancaster than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lancaster gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #105 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 Lancaster’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lancaster 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 Lancaster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lancaster, and Lancaster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #105 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lancaster’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lancaster has less expected damage per building than 63% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Lancaster: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lancaster flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lancaster, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $105K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $79K
Lancaster 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lancaster
Disasters that paid out in Lancaster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lancaster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$19K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$34K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$227K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding74 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$54K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$145K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$20K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Lancaster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lancaster archive →Lancaster and its neighbors
Lancaster 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Harvard | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sterling | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leominster | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Bolton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lancaster | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Devens | — | 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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Is Lancaster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lancaster has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #105 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (30%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lancaster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Lancaster since 1978, $327K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Lancaster 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 Lancaster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lancaster’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 Lancaster?
By FEMA money that reached Lancaster, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $227K to the Town of Lancaster for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $105K.
Is Lancaster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Lancaster’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lancaster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lancaster’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.