Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Plainville faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plainville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #23 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Plainville 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 Plainville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plainville, and Plainville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #23 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plainville’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, Plainville has less expected damage per building than 92% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Plainville: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plainville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plainville, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $6K
Plainville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plainville
Disasters that paid out in Plainville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Plainville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$6K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$57K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$51K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$38K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding94 households applied for aid$126K aid approved$42K to the Town of Plainville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$34K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2003Snow$35K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
- 2003Snow$20K to the Town of Plainville for repairs
Norfolk County has had 29 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 Plainville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plainville archive →Plainville and its neighbors
Plainville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plainville | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wrentham | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Attleborough Town | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Cumberland | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
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 Plainville 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 Plainville
Is Plainville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plainville has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #23 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plainville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Plainville since 2010, $6K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Plainville 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plainville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plainville’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 Plainville?
By FEMA money that reached Plainville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 94 households applied for aid, $126K approved, and $42K to the Town of Plainville for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Plainville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Plainville’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plainville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plainville’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.