Photo: WestportWiki · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Provincetown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Provincetown gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #178 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 214 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 Provincetown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Provincetown 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 Provincetown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Provincetown, and Provincetown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 23%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #178 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Provincetown’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, Provincetown has more expected damage per building than 63% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Provincetown: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Provincetown flood? Yes: 214 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Provincetown, from FEMA’s records: 45.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter11 claims · $211K
- The “Halloween” storm5 claims · $51K
Provincetown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Barnstable County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Provincetown
Disasters that paid out in Provincetown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Provincetown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$35K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs71 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$276K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$3.3M to the Town of Provincetown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$11K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$18K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Earl$7K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$9K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$60K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Provincetown for repairs
Barnstable County has had 18 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 Provincetown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Provincetown archive →Provincetown and its neighbors
Provincetown is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truro | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Provincetown | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 214 |
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 Provincetown 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.
- Provincetown residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Provincetown
Is Provincetown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Provincetown has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #178 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hurricanes (31%). 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 Provincetown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 214 claims in Provincetown since 1978, $8.5M in all, or 45.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (11).
Is Provincetown 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 Barnstable County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Provincetown?
Provincetown is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Provincetown?
By FEMA money that reached Provincetown, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2013): $3.3M to the Town of Provincetown for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 11 paid, $211K.
Is Provincetown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Provincetown’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Provincetown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Provincetown’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.