Photo: Jameslwoodward · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Milton than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #109 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 Milton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Milton 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 Milton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milton, and Milton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #109 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milton’s residents live in 6 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, Milton has less expected damage per building than 62% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Milton: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milton flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milton, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter17 claims · $370K
Milton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milton
Disasters that paid out in Milton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Milton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$165K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$106K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$28K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$228K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$147K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$109K to the Town of Milton for repairs
Show all 14
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding464 households applied for aid$799K aid approved$24K to the Town of Milton for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$123K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Snow$70K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2003Snow$52K to the Town of Milton for repairs
- 2001Snow$82K to the Town of Milton for repairs
Norfolk County has had 29 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 Milton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milton archive →Milton and its neighbors
Milton is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Milton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Randolph Town | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Quincy | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1,430 |
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 Milton 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 Milton
Is Milton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milton has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #109 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Milton since 1978, $605K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (17).
Is Milton 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milton’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 Milton?
By FEMA money that reached Milton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 464 households applied for aid, $799K approved, and $24K to the Town of Milton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 17 paid, $370K.
Is Milton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Milton’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milton’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.