Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Nahant faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nahant gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #98 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then coastal flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 341 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 Nahant’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nahant 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
Coastal 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 Nahant’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nahant, and Nahant’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #98 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Nahant’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Nahant has less expected damage per building than 66% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $812K a year in losses across Nahant: $729K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nahant flood? Yes: 341 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nahant, from FEMA’s records: 188.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm97 claims · $2.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter37 claims · $384K
Nahant 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 Nahant
Disasters that paid out in Nahant itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Nahant), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$2.9M to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$52K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$108K to the Town of Nahant for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$12K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
Show all 15
- 2010Hurricane Earl$3K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$92K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$109K to the Town of Nahant for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$24K to the Town of Nahant for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$21K to the Town of Nahant for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Flooding6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Nahant for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Nahant for repairs10 flood claims 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 Nahant after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nahant archive →Nahant and its neighbors
Nahant is 2nd of the 5 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 |
| Nahant | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| Winthrop Town | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1,045 |
| Revere | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2,147 |
| Lynn | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 251 |
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 Nahant 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Nahant
Is Nahant at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nahant has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #98 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and coastal flooding (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nahant flood?
Flood insurance has paid 341 claims in Nahant since 1978, $5.8M in all, or 188.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 47 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (97).
Is Nahant 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 Nahant?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nahant’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 Nahant?
By FEMA money that reached Nahant, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2018): $2.9M to the Town of Nahant for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 97 paid, $2.9M.
Is Nahant at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Nahant’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nahant.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nahant’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.