Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Marlborough, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marlborough gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Marlborough’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marlborough 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
Ice storms
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 Marlborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marlborough, and Marlborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #2 of 283 in Massachusetts; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marlborough’s residents live in 7 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, Marlborough has less expected damage per building than 100% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Marlborough: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marlborough flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marlborough, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $17K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $939
Marlborough 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marlborough
Disasters that paid out in Marlborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Marlborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$234K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$472K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$71K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$187K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding74 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$111K to the City of Marlborough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$412K to the City of Marlborough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$134K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2004Flooding3 households applied for aid$771 aid approved
- 2003Snow$130K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$106K to the City of Marlborough for repairs
- 2001Snow$67K to the City of Marlborough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Marlborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marlborough archive →Marlborough and its neighbors
Marlborough has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlborough | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Framingham | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 165 |
| Sudbury | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Southborough | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hudson | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Berlin | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Northborough | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Marlborough 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Marlborough
Is Marlborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marlborough has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marlborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Marlborough since 1979, $93K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Marlborough 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 Marlborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marlborough’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 Marlborough?
By FEMA money that reached Marlborough, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $472K to the City of Marlborough for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Marlborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Marlborough’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marlborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marlborough’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.