Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Orleans faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orleans gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #137 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 52 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 Orleans’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Orleans 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
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 Orleans’ grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Orleans, and Orleans’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #137 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Orleans’ 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, Orleans has less expected damage per building than 52% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Orleans: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Orleans flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Orleans, from FEMA’s records: 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm16 claims · $562K
- The December Storm - nor’easter9 claims · $74K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $136K
Orleans is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Barnstable County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Orleans
Disasters that paid out in Orleans itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Orleans), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$20K to the Town of Orleans for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$112K to the Town of Orleans for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$32K to the Town of Orleans for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$18K to the Town of Orleans for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $136K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$56K to the Town of Orleans for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Earl$19K to the Town of Orleans for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$913 to the Town of Orleans for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$68K to the Town of Orleans for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Orleans for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Orleans for repairs
Barnstable County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Orleans after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Orleans archive →Orleans and its neighbors
Orleans has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Brewster | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Eastham | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Chatham | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 132 |
| Harwich | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| East Harwich | — | 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 Orleans 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.
- 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.
- Orleans residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Orleans
Is Orleans at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Orleans has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #137 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Orleans flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Orleans since 1978, $1.3M in all, or 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (16).
Is Orleans 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 Barnstable County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Orleans?
Orleans is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Orleans?
By FEMA money that reached Orleans, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $112K to the Town of Orleans for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 16 paid, $562K.
Is Orleans at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Orleans’ rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Orleans.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Orleans’ 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.