Photo: Pvmoutside at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Northbridge than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northbridge 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 (32%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1987.
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 Northbridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northbridge 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 Northbridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northbridge, and Northbridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% 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).
Northbridge’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, Northbridge has less expected damage per building than 58% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Northbridge: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northbridge flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northbridge, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $4K
Northbridge 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northbridge
Disasters that paid out in Northbridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Northbridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$68K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$90K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$59K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$3K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$6K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$4K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$55K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$35K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2003Snow$31K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2003Snow$22K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs
- 2001Snow$21K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Northbridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northbridge archive →Northbridge and its neighbors
Northbridge is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Grafton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Northbridge | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Uxbridge | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Upton | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Whitinsville | — | 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 Northbridge 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 Northbridge
Is Northbridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northbridge 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 (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northbridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Northbridge since 1987, $664K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Northbridge 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 Northbridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northbridge’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 Northbridge?
By FEMA money that reached Northbridge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 39 households applied for aid, $61K approved, and $55K to the Town of Northbridge for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Northbridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Northbridge’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northbridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northbridge’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.