Photo: Terageorge · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Reading’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reading gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #24 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Reading 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
Earthquakes
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 Reading’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reading, and Reading’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #24 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Reading’s residents live in 4 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, Reading has less expected damage per building than 92% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Reading: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reading flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reading, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $29K
Reading 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Reading
Disasters that paid out in Reading itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Reading), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$307K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$187K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$156K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$21K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$105K to the Town of Reading for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding322 households applied for aid$489K aid approved$50K to the Town of Reading for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding194 households applied for aid$356K aid approved$164K to the Town of Reading for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$144K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2004Flooding26 households applied for aid$29K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$131K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2003Snow$94K to the Town of Reading for repairs
- 2001Snow$78K to the Town of Reading for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Reading after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reading archive →Reading and its neighbors
Reading has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Woburn | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Lynnfield | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Stoneham | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wakefield | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Wilmington | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| North Reading | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 92 |
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 Reading 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Reading
Is Reading at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reading has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #24 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Reading flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Reading since 1978, $39K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Reading 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 Reading?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reading’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 Reading?
By FEMA money that reached Reading, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 322 households applied for aid, $489K approved, and $50K to the Town of Reading for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $29K.
Is Reading at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Reading’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reading.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reading’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.