Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0For coastal flooding, Mashpee’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mashpee gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #252 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 46 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 Mashpee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mashpee 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
Coastal flooding
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 Mashpee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mashpee, and Mashpee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #252 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mashpee’s residents live in 5 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, Mashpee has more expected damage per building than 89% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Mashpee: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mashpee flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mashpee, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob8 claims · $74K
- Hurricane Sandy5 claims · $75K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $26K
Mashpee is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Barnstable County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mashpee
Disasters that paid out in Mashpee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mashpee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$41K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$96K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$87K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $75K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$20K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$9K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$6K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$72K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
- 2003Snow$49K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs
Barnstable County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mashpee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mashpee archive →Mashpee and its neighbors
Mashpee is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandwich | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 169 |
| Falmouth | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 510 |
| Barnstable Town | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 197 |
| Mashpee | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Popponesset | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Forestdale | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Seabrook | — | 530 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| New Seabury | — | 726 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Popponesset Island | — | 33 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Seconsett Island | — | 168 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mashpee Neck | — | 908 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Mashpee 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mashpee 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 Mashpee
Is Mashpee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mashpee has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #252 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mashpee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Mashpee since 1978, $378K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (8).
Is Mashpee 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 Barnstable County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mashpee?
Mashpee 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 Mashpee?
By FEMA money that reached Mashpee, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $96K to the Town of Mashpee for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 8 paid, $74K.
Is Mashpee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Mashpee’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mashpee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mashpee’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.