Photo: Oceanhistory · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Marblehead than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marblehead gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #5 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then coastal flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 179 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 Marblehead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marblehead 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
Coastal 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 Marblehead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marblehead, and Marblehead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #5 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marblehead’s residents live in 4 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, Marblehead has less expected damage per building than 99% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Marblehead: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marblehead flood? Yes: 179 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marblehead, from FEMA’s records: 19.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm42 claims · $958K
- The December Storm - nor’easter21 claims · $335K
Marblehead 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marblehead
Disasters that paid out in Marblehead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marblehead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$870K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$124K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$117K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding66 households applied for aid$51K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$68K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding101 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$69K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$53K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs
- 2004Flooding62 households applied for aid$88K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$37K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs
- 2003Snow$27K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs
- 2001Snow$40K to the Town of Marblehead 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 Marblehead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marblehead archive →Marblehead and its neighbors
Marblehead has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marblehead | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 179 |
| Swampscott | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 319 |
| Salem | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 147 |
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 Marblehead 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Marblehead
Is Marblehead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marblehead has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #5 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and coastal flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marblehead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 179 claims in Marblehead since 1978, $3.2M in all, or 19.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (42).
Is Marblehead 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 Marblehead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marblehead’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 Marblehead?
By FEMA money that reached Marblehead, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2018): $870K to the Town of Marblehead for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 42 paid, $958K.
Is Marblehead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Marblehead’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marblehead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marblehead’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.