Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFEMA puts North Attleborough Town’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Attleborough Town gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #140 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1980.
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 North Attleborough Town’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Attleborough Town 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 North Attleborough Town’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Attleborough Town, and North Attleborough Town’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #140 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Attleborough Town’s residents live in 7 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, North Attleborough Town has less expected damage per building than 51% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across North Attleborough Town: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Attleborough Town flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Attleborough Town, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter8 claims · $80K
- Hurricane Bob1 claim · $709
North Attleborough Town isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.The storms North Attleborough Town remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for Bristol County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Attleborough Town itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 202315 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Lee, declared for Bristol County
- 20108 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Earl, declared for Bristol County
- 19984 flood claims paidThe year of Heavy Rains and Flooding, declared for Bristol County
Bristol County has had 22 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 North Attleborough Town after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Attleborough Town archive →North Attleborough Town and its neighbors
North Attleborough Town 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plainville | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Attleborough Town | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Attleboro | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Cumberland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
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 North Attleborough Town 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 North Attleborough Town
Is North Attleborough Town at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Attleborough Town has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #140 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Attleborough Town flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in North Attleborough Town since 1980, $522K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (8).
Is North Attleborough Town 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 Bristol County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Attleborough Town?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Attleborough Town’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 North Attleborough Town?
By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 8 paid, $80K.
Is North Attleborough Town at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and North Attleborough Town’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Attleborough Town.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Attleborough Town’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.