Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0For coastal flooding, Marshfield’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #257 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then coastal flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 1,466 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 Marshfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Marshfield 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
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 Marshfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marshfield, and Marshfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 43%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #257 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marshfield’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, Marshfield has more expected damage per building than 91% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Marshfield: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marshfield flood? Yes: 1,466 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marshfield, from FEMA’s records: 124.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm400 claims · $8.8M
- The December Storm - nor’easter145 claims · $1.3M
Marshfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marshfield
Disasters that paid out in Marshfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marshfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$249K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$1.7M to the Town of Marshfield for repairs153 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$1.2M to the Town of Marshfield for repairs78 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$1.1M to the Town of Marshfield for repairs117 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$98K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $18K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$108K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Hurricane Earl$13K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding71 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$39K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$121K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$134K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$62K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$74K to the Town of Marshfield for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Marshfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marshfield archive →Marshfield and its neighbors
Marshfield is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Norwell | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Scituate | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3,519 |
| Duxbury | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 396 |
| Marshfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1,466 |
| Marshfield Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Pembroke | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Green Harbor | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Marshfield 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.
- 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.
- Marshfield residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Marshfield
Is Marshfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marshfield has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #257 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and coastal flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marshfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,466 claims in Marshfield since 1978, $23.7M in all, or 124.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 186 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (400).
Is Marshfield 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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marshfield?
Marshfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Marshfield?
By FEMA money that reached Marshfield, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2018): $1.7M to the Town of Marshfield for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 400 paid, $8.8M.
Is Marshfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Marshfield’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marshfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marshfield’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.