Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Seekonk faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seekonk gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #38 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1983.
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 Seekonk 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 Seekonk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seekonk, and Seekonk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #38 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seekonk’s residents live in 2 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, Seekonk has less expected damage per building than 87% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Seekonk: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seekonk flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seekonk, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $68K
- Hurricane Bob1 claim · $2K
Seekonk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seekonk
Disasters that paid out in Seekonk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Seekonk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$75K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$25K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$8K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$71K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Earl$3K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding419 households applied for aid$653K aid approved$146K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$30K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs
Bristol County has had 22 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 Seekonk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seekonk archive →Seekonk and its neighbors
Seekonk is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swansea | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Seekonk | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Providence | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Attleboro | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Pawtucket | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Rehoboth | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Seekonk 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 Seekonk
Is Seekonk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seekonk has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #38 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seekonk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Seekonk since 1983, $142K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% 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 (5).
Is Seekonk 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 Bristol County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Seekonk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seekonk’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 Seekonk?
By FEMA money that reached Seekonk, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 419 households applied for aid, $653K approved, and $146K to the Town of Seekonk for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 5 paid, $68K.
Is Seekonk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Seekonk’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seekonk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seekonk’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.