Photo: Public domain · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Oxford than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #163 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Oxford 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 Oxford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oxford, and Oxford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #163 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oxford’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, Oxford has more expected damage per building than 57% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Oxford: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oxford flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oxford, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oxford 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oxford
Disasters that paid out in Oxford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oxford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$79K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$84K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$34K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$302K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$35K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$23K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$59K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2004Flooding2 households applied for aid$354 aid approved
- 2003Snow$36K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2003Snow$31K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2001Snow$34K to the Town of Oxford 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 Oxford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oxford archive →Oxford and its neighbors
Oxford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Auburn | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Millbury | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Douglas | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Charlton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oxford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Dudley | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Oxford 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 Oxford
Is Oxford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxford has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #163 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oxford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Oxford since 1978, $17K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oxford 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 Oxford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oxford’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 Oxford?
By FEMA money that reached Oxford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 17 households applied for aid, $31K approved, and $302K to the Town of Oxford for repairs.
Is Oxford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Oxford’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oxford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oxford’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.