Photo: T.S. Custadio aka ToddC4176 at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Somerset than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #17 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Somerset’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Somerset 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
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 Somerset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerset, and Somerset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #17 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somerset’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, Somerset has less expected damage per building than 94% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Somerset: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerset flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somerset, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter11 claims · $58K
- Hurricane Bob10 claims · $31K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $24K
Somerset 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 Somerset
Disasters that paid out in Somerset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Somerset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$19K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$58K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$53K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$32K to the Town of Somerset for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $24K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$12K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding353 households applied for aid$540K aid approved$46K to the Town of Somerset for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$52K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2003Snow$27K to the Town of Somerset for repairs
- 2003Snow$20K to the Town of Somerset 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 Somerset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerset archive →Somerset and its neighbors
Somerset has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Swansea | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
| Dighton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Berkley | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fall River | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Freetown | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
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 Somerset 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.
- 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 Somerset
Is Somerset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #17 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somerset flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Somerset since 1978, $140K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (11).
Is Somerset 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 Somerset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerset’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 Somerset?
By FEMA money that reached Somerset, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 353 households applied for aid, $540K approved, and $46K to the Town of Somerset for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 11 paid, $58K.
Is Somerset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Somerset’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerset’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.