Photo: Rhonda McCloughan (Pr41799) · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Plymouth than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plymouth gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #43 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 334 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 Plymouth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Plymouth 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 Plymouth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plymouth, and Plymouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A #43 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plymouth’s residents live in 12 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, Plymouth has less expected damage per building than 85% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.4M a year in losses across Plymouth: $10.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plymouth flood? Yes: 334 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plymouth, from FEMA’s records: 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm96 claims · $2.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter32 claims · $448K
- Hurricane Bob7 claims · $65K
Plymouth is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plymouth
Disasters that paid out in Plymouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Plymouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$390K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$361K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$265K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$29K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs35 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$12K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$70K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2010Hurricane Earl$3K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding157 households applied for aid$338K aid approved$28K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$17K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$296K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$126K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs
- 2003Snow$124K to the Town of Plymouth 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 Plymouth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plymouth archive →Plymouth and its neighbors
Plymouth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 334 |
| Kingston | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Bourne | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 396 |
| Duxbury | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 396 |
| Wareham | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 750 |
| Carver | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| North Plymouth | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| White Island Shores | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Sagamore | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Buzzards Bay | — | 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 Plymouth 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.
- Plymouth residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Plymouth
Is Plymouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plymouth has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #43 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plymouth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 334 claims in Plymouth since 1978, $9.4M in all, or 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (96).
Is Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
Plymouth is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Plymouth?
By FEMA money that reached Plymouth, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2022): $390K to the Town of Plymouth for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 96 paid, $2.3M.
Is Plymouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Plymouth’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plymouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plymouth’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.