Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Pepperell faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pepperell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #134 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Pepperell 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 Pepperell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pepperell, and Pepperell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #134 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pepperell’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, Pepperell has less expected damage per building than 53% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Pepperell: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pepperell flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pepperell, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter7 claims · $79K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $65K
Pepperell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pepperell
Disasters that paid out in Pepperell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pepperell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$72K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$29K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$7K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$4K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$155K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$22K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pepperell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pepperell archive →Pepperell and its neighbors
Pepperell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunstable | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Groton | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pepperell | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Townsend | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Hollis | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Pepperell | — | 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 Pepperell 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 Pepperell
Is Pepperell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pepperell has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #134 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pepperell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Pepperell since 1987, $186K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% 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 (7).
Is Pepperell 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pepperell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pepperell’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 Pepperell?
By FEMA money that reached Pepperell, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $155K to the Town of Pepperell for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 7 paid, $79K.
Is Pepperell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Pepperell’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pepperell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pepperell’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.