Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lynnfield faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynnfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #57 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 28 claims here since 1979.
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 Lynnfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lynnfield 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 Lynnfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynnfield, and Lynnfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #57 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynnfield’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, Lynnfield has less expected damage per building than 80% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Lynnfield: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynnfield flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynnfield, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter4 claims · $54K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $13K
Lynnfield 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynnfield
Disasters that paid out in Lynnfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lynnfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$153K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$105K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$20K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding205 households applied for aid$322K aid approved$43K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding227 households applied for aid$430K aid approved$59K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$64K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs
- 2004Flooding22 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2003Snow$66K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$43K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$58K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
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 Lynnfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynnfield archive →Lynnfield and its neighbors
Lynnfield is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Lynnfield | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Wakefield | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Peabody | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 306 |
| Middleton | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| North Reading | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
| Lynn | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 251 |
| Saugus | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 281 |
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 Lynnfield 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 Lynnfield
Is Lynnfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynnfield has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #57 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynnfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Lynnfield since 1979, $246K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (4).
Is Lynnfield 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 Lynnfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lynnfield’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 Lynnfield?
By FEMA money that reached Lynnfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 227 households applied for aid, $430K approved, and $59K to the Town of Lynnfield for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $54K.
Is Lynnfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Lynnfield’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynnfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynnfield’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.