Methuen Memorial Music Hall · Photo: EraserGirl · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Methuen than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Methuen gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #194 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 96 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 Methuen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Methuen 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
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 Methuen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Methuen, and Methuen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #194 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Methuen’s residents live in 11 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, Methuen has more expected damage per building than 68% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.6M a year in losses across Methuen: $9.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Methuen flood? Sometimes: 96 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Methuen, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter9 claims · $67K
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $39K
Methuen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Methuen
Disasters that paid out in Methuen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Methuen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$274K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$100K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$283K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$216K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$41K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$193K to the City of Methuen for repairs
Show all 15
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding159 households applied for aid$181K aid approved$101K to the City of Methuen for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$407K to the City of Methuen for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$45K to the City of Methuen for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding419 households applied for aid$721K aid approved$836K to the City of Methuen for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$219K to the City of Methuen for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Flooding49 households applied for aid$82K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$165K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2003Snow$101K to the City of Methuen for repairs
- 2001Snow$159K to the City of Methuen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Essex County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Methuen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Methuen archive →Methuen and its neighbors
Methuen is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Andover | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Methuen | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| Andover | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 147 |
| Salem | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
| Dracut | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Haverhill | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| Pelham | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Lawrence | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 262 |
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 Methuen 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.
- 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 Methuen
Is Methuen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Methuen has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #194 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Methuen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 96 claims in Methuen since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (9).
Is Methuen 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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Methuen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Methuen’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 Methuen?
By FEMA money that reached Methuen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 419 households applied for aid, $721K approved, and $836K to the City of Methuen for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 9 paid, $67K.
Is Methuen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Methuen’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Methuen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Methuen’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.