Jerry Nichols Tavern · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in North Reading than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Reading gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #182 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 92 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 North Reading’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Reading 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
Earthquakes
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 Reading’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Reading, and North Reading’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #182 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Reading’s residents live in 4 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 Reading has more expected damage per building than 64% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across North Reading: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Reading flood? Sometimes: 92 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Reading, from FEMA’s records: 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter18 claims · $154K
North Reading isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Reading
Disasters that paid out in North Reading itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Reading), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$134K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$189K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$139K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$81K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$28K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$117K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding275 households applied for aid$566K aid approved$184K to the Town of North Reading for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding173 households applied for aid$323K aid approved$57K to the Town of North Reading for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$113K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2004Flooding21 households applied for aid$24K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$103K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2003Snow$68K to the Town of North Reading for repairs
- 2001Snow$83K to the Town of North Reading for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Reading after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Reading archive →North Reading and its neighbors
North Reading is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Lynnfield | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Wilmington | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Middleton | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| North Andover | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| North Reading | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
| Andover | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 147 |
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 Reading 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Reading
Is North Reading at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Reading has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #182 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Reading flood?
Flood insurance has paid 92 claims in North Reading since 1979, $791K in all, or 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (18).
Is North Reading 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Reading?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Reading’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 Reading?
By FEMA money that reached North Reading, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 275 households applied for aid, $566K approved, and $184K to the Town of North Reading for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 18 paid, $154K.
Is North Reading at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and North Reading’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Reading.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Reading’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.