Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Medford faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #260 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Medford 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
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 Medford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medford, and Medford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #260 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Medford’s residents live in 14 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, Medford has more expected damage per building than 92% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.1M a year in losses across Medford: $12.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medford flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medford, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $45K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $196
Medford 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medford
Disasters that paid out in Medford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Medford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$300K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$431K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$185K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$12K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$114K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding416 households applied for aid$553K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding60 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$7K to the City of Medford for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$123K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2004Flooding49 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2003Snow$110K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2003Snow$92K to the City of Medford for repairs
- 2001Snow$115K to the City of Medford for repairs8 flood claims 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 Medford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medford archive →Medford and its neighbors
Medford is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoneham | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Everett | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Somerville | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Winchester | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 145 |
| Malden | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Medford | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Arlington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 410 |
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 Medford 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.
- 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 Medford
Is Medford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #260 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Medford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Medford since 1978, $196K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (5).
Is Medford 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 Medford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Medford’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 Medford?
By FEMA money that reached Medford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 416 households applied for aid, $553K approved. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 5 paid, $45K.
Is Medford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Medford’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medford’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.