Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Norfolk than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norfolk gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #45 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Norfolk’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norfolk 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 Norfolk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norfolk, and Norfolk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #45 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norfolk’s residents live in 2 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, Norfolk has less expected damage per building than 84% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Norfolk: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norfolk flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norfolk, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $45K
- The “Halloween” storm2 claims · $25K
Norfolk 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.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norfolk
Disasters that paid out in Norfolk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Norfolk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$74K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$94K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$39K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$93K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$78K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$66K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
Show all 15
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$65K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$21K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$8K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$67K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2003Snow$63K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2003Snow$44K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs
- 2001Snow$55K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Snow$1K to the Town of Norfolk 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 Norfolk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norfolk archive →Norfolk and its neighbors
Norfolk is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Town | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Wrentham | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Walpole | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Norfolk | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Medfield | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Millis | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Medway | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Millis-Clicquot | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk
Is Norfolk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norfolk has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #45 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norfolk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Norfolk since 1979, $155K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Norfolk 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 Norfolk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norfolk’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 Norfolk?
By FEMA money that reached Norfolk, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 95 households applied for aid, $90K approved, and $21K to the Town of Norfolk for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $45K.
Is Norfolk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Norfolk’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norfolk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norfolk’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.