Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Princeton than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #69 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Princeton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Princeton 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 Princeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Princeton, and Princeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #69 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Princeton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Princeton has less expected damage per building than 76% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $711K a year in losses across Princeton: $615K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Princeton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Princeton, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Princeton 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Princeton
Disasters that paid out in Princeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Princeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$25K to the Town of Princeton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1K to the Town of Princeton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$24K to the Town of Princeton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$2.9M to the Town of Princeton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$21K to the Town of Princeton for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Princeton for repairs
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Princeton for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Princeton 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 Princeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Princeton archive →Princeton and its neighbors
Princeton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hubbardston | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Holden | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sterling | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Westminster | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Princeton | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leominster | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
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 Princeton 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 Princeton
Is Princeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #69 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Princeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Princeton since 1979, $7K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Princeton 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 Princeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Princeton’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 Princeton?
By FEMA money that reached Princeton, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $2.9M to the Town of Princeton for repairs.
Is Princeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Princeton’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Princeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Princeton’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.