Photo: Grk1011/Stephen · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Melrose than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Melrose gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #266 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 57 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 Melrose 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 Melrose’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Melrose, and Melrose’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C #266 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Melrose’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, Melrose has more expected damage per building than 94% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Melrose: $7.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Melrose flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Melrose, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter7 claims · $95K
Melrose 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 Melrose
Disasters that paid out in Melrose itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Melrose), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$264K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$207K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$173K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$170K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding194 households applied for aid$162K aid approved$81K to the City of Melrose for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding622 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$815K to the City of Melrose for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$152K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2004Flooding81 households applied for aid$123K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$92K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2003Snow$67K to the City of Melrose for repairs
- 2001Snow$58K to the City of Melrose 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 Melrose after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Melrose archive →Melrose and its neighbors
Melrose is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Melrose 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 Melrose
Is Melrose at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Melrose has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #266 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Melrose flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Melrose since 1979, $789K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (7).
Is Melrose 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 Melrose?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Melrose’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 Melrose?
By FEMA money that reached Melrose, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 622 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $815K to the City of Melrose for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 7 paid, $95K.
Is Melrose at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Melrose’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Melrose.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Melrose’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.