Photo: Tim Pierce · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Littleton faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Littleton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #29 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1982.
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 Littleton 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
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 Littleton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Littleton, and Littleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #29 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Littleton’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, Littleton has less expected damage per building than 90% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Littleton: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Littleton flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Littleton, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $21K
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $50K
Littleton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Littleton
Disasters that paid out in Littleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Littleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$63K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$103K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$62K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$11K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$35K to the Town of Littleton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$74K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$46K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Snow$37K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
- 2001Snow$28K to the Town of Littleton for repairs
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Littleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Littleton archive →Littleton and its neighbors
Littleton is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayer | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Boxborough | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Littleton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Harvard | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Westford | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Acton | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Groton | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Littleton 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.
- 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 Littleton
Is Littleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Littleton has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #29 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Littleton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Littleton since 1982, $101K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is Littleton 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Littleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Littleton’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 Littleton?
By FEMA money that reached Littleton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 48 households applied for aid, $103K approved, and $35K to the Town of Littleton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $21K.
Is Littleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Littleton’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Littleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Littleton’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.