Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Salem’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #111 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 147 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 Salem’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Salem 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
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 Salem’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #111 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem’s residents live in 10 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, Salem has less expected damage per building than 61% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Salem: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem flood? Yes: 147 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm20 claims · $198K
- The December Storm - nor’easter11 claims · $38K
Salem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$248K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$116K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$332K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$174K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$113K to the City of Salem for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding145 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$13K to the City of Salem for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$123K to the City of Salem for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding149 households applied for aid$252K aid approved$238K to the City of Salem for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$183K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2004Flooding47 households applied for aid$43K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$80K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2003Snow$52K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2001Snow$91K to the City of Salem for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Essex County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Salem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Salem and its neighbors
Salem is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marblehead | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 179 |
| Beverly | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Swampscott | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 319 |
| Danvers | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Salem | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 147 |
| Peabody | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 306 |
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 Salem 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.
- 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 Salem
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #111 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 147 claims in Salem since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 22 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (20).
Is Salem 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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem’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 Salem?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 149 households applied for aid, $252K approved, and $238K to the City of Salem for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 20 paid, $198K.
Is Salem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Salem’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.