Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Northborough than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northborough gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #119 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2005.
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 Northborough 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 Northborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northborough, and Northborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #119 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northborough’s residents live in 3 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, Northborough has less expected damage per building than 58% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Northborough: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northborough flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northborough, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $18K
Northborough isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northborough
Disasters that paid out in Northborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Northborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$79K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$90K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$241K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$35K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding84 households applied for aid$54K aid approved$9K to the Town of Northborough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$61K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$74K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$39K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$29K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
- 2001Snow$32K to the Town of Northborough for repairs
Worcester County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Northborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northborough archive →Northborough and its neighbors
Northborough is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlborough | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Westborough | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Boylston | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Shrewsbury | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Berlin | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Northborough | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Northborough 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 Northborough
Is Northborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northborough has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #119 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Northborough since 2005, $22K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Northborough 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 Worcester County, 65% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northborough’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 Northborough?
By FEMA money that reached Northborough, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $241K to the Town of Northborough for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $18K.
Is Northborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Northborough’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northborough’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.