Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Norwell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwell gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #84 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Norwell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norwell 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
Coastal flooding
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 Norwell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norwell, and Norwell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A #84 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norwell’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, Norwell has less expected damage per building than 71% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Norwell: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norwell flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norwell, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $24K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Norwell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norwell
Disasters that paid out in Norwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Norwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$150K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$32K to the Town of Norwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$89K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$32K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$8K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$165K aid approved$4K to the Town of Norwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$4K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$56K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2003Snow$67K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
- 2003Snow$46K to the Town of Norwell for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Norwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norwell archive →Norwell and its neighbors
Norwell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pembroke | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hanover | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Rockland | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Norwell | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Hingham | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Scituate | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3,519 |
| Marshfield | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1,466 |
| North Pembroke | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Marshfield Hills | — | 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 Norwell 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Norwell
Is Norwell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwell has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #84 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Norwell since 1978, $152K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (1).
Is Norwell 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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Norwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norwell’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 Norwell?
By FEMA money that reached Norwell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 95 households applied for aid, $165K approved, and $4K to the Town of Norwell for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 1 paid, $24K.
Is Norwell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Norwell’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norwell’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.