Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Saugus than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saugus gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #275 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then coastal flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 281 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 Saugus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Saugus 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
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 Saugus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saugus, and Saugus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #275 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saugus’ residents live in 7 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, Saugus has more expected damage per building than 97% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.5M a year in losses across Saugus: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saugus flood? Yes: 281 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saugus, from FEMA’s records: 24.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter25 claims · $130K
- The “Halloween” storm9 claims · $26K
Saugus 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saugus
Disasters that paid out in Saugus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Saugus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$16K to the Town of Saugus for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$317K to the Town of Saugus for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$192K to the Town of Saugus for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$187K to the Town of Saugus for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding237 households applied for aid$380K aid approved$124K to the Town of Saugus for repairs26 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding525 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$294K to the Town of Saugus for repairs42 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$156K to the Town of Saugus for repairs
- 2004Flooding66 households applied for aid$134K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$115K to the Town of Saugus for repairs
- 2003Snow$113K to the Town of Saugus for repairs
- 2001Snow$137K to the Town of Saugus for repairs11 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 Saugus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saugus archive →Saugus and its neighbors
Saugus is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynnfield | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Wakefield | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Revere | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2,147 |
| Lynn | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 251 |
| Saugus | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 281 |
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 Saugus 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Saugus
Is Saugus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saugus has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #275 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and coastal flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saugus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 281 claims in Saugus since 1978, $3.3M in all, or 24.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 46 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (25).
Is Saugus 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 Saugus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saugus’ 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 Saugus?
By FEMA money that reached Saugus, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 525 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $294K to the Town of Saugus for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 25 paid, $130K.
Is Saugus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Saugus’ rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saugus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saugus’ 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.