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Middleton-114-62Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Middleton · FEMA

Less hazard damage per building is expected in Middleton than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middleton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #139 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 76%Hurricanes 11%Earthquakes 9%

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

less than 77%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#139 of 283 in Massachusetts
Hazard risk
A−#139 of 283
in Massachusetts · lower than 77% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
76% of expected building damage
Flood claims
10
paid since 1979 · $138K
Flooded more than once
2
properties
Disasters paid out here
12
of 32 declared for Essex County
By hazard

What Middleton 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

76%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

11%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 5 years in the area

Earthquakes

9%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Ice storms Strong wind Wildfire Lightning Hail Winter storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Middleton’s grade

River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middleton, and Middleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Middleton sits
Middleton
Least damageMiddleMost damage

A− #139 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Middleton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding76%Hurricanes11%Earthquakes9%Everything else4%

The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Middleton has less expected damage per building than 51% of Massachusetts towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Middleton: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Middleton covers 2 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Middleton flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middleton, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 1 claim1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 1 claim1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 2 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 1 claim2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 4 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims197920012010
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The March 2010 nor’easter4 claims · $11K
  • The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $39K
10
paid claims since 1979
$138K
paid to owners
2
homes flooded more than once
$14K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Middleton 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.
Disasters

12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middleton

Disasters that paid out in Middleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Middleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  2. 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$99K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  3. 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$63K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  4. 2011Hurricane Irene$3K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  5. 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  6. 2010Severe Storms and Flooding111 households applied for aid$231K aid approved$61K to the Town of Middleton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
  1. 2006Severe Storms and Flooding89 households applied for aid$183K aid approved$110K to the Town of Middleton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  2. 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$56K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  3. 2004Flooding23 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
  4. 2003Snow$50K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  5. 2003Snow$31K to the Town of Middleton for repairs
  6. 2001Snow$34K to the Town of Middleton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MiddletonEssex County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Middleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Middleton archive →
Next door

Middleton and its neighbors

Middleton is 6th of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Danvers: hazard risk ATopsfield: hazard risk APeabody: hazard risk A−Boxford: hazard risk A−North Reading: hazard risk B+Lynnfield: hazard risk ANorth Andover: hazard risk B+DanversTopsfieldPeabodyBoxfordNorth ReadingLynnfieldNorth AndoverMiddleton
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
LynnfieldAless damage than 89%river and rain flooding28
DanversAless damage than 88%river and rain flooding36
TopsfieldAless damage than 85%river and rain flooding23
BoxfordA−less damage than 84%river and rain flooding9
PeabodyA−less damage than 81%river and rain flooding306
MiddletonA−less damage than 77%river and rain flooding10
North AndoverB+less damage than 69%river and rain flooding46
North ReadingB+less damage than 67%river and rain flooding92

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Middleton faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Middleton

Is Middleton at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middleton has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #139 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Middleton flood?

Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Middleton since 1979, $138K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (4).

Is Middleton 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 Middleton?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middleton’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 Middleton?

By FEMA money that reached Middleton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 89 households applied for aid, $183K approved, and $110K to the Town of Middleton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $11K.

Is Middleton at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Middleton’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middleton.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middleton’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.