Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Sharon than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharon gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #9 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Sharon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sharon 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 Sharon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sharon, and Sharon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #9 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sharon’s residents live in 3 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, Sharon has less expected damage per building than 97% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Sharon: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sharon flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sharon, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $31K
Sharon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sharon
Disasters that paid out in Sharon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sharon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$111K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$82K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$75K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$153K to the Town of Sharon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$93K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$38K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding339 households applied for aid$516K aid approved$46K to the Town of Sharon for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$80K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2003Snow$65K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2003Snow$48K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
- 2001Snow$35K to the Town of Sharon for repairs
Norfolk County has had 29 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 Sharon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sharon archive →Sharon and its neighbors
Sharon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foxborough | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sharon | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Stoughton | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Walpole | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Canton | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Norwood | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Sharon 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 Sharon
Is Sharon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharon has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #9 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sharon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Sharon since 1978, $114K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% 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 Sharon 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sharon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sharon’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 Sharon?
By FEMA money that reached Sharon, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 339 households applied for aid, $516K approved, and $46K to the Town of Sharon for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 5 paid, $31K.
Is Sharon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Sharon’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sharon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sharon’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.