Photo: Pvmoutside at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Leicester faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leicester gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #40 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1987.
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 Leicester 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 Leicester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leicester, and Leicester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #40 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Leicester’s residents live in 2 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, Leicester has less expected damage per building than 86% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Leicester: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leicester flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leicester, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $14K
Leicester 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leicester
Disasters that paid out in Leicester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Leicester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$35K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$8K to the Town of Leicester for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$309K to the Town of Leicester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$24K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$26K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
- 2001Snow$23K to the Town of Leicester for repairs
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 Leicester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leicester archive →Leicester and its neighbors
Leicester is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Leicester 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 Leicester
Is Leicester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leicester has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #40 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Leicester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Leicester since 1987, $152K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Leicester 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 Leicester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leicester’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 Leicester?
By FEMA money that reached Leicester, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $309K to the Town of Leicester for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Leicester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Leicester’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leicester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leicester’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.