Sawyer Homestead · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Sterling’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #64 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Sterling 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 Sterling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sterling, and Sterling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #64 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sterling’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sterling has less expected damage per building than 78% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Sterling: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sterling flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sterling, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $7K
Sterling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sterling
Disasters that paid out in Sterling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sterling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$32K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$34K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$904K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$29K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
Worcester County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sterling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sterling archive →Sterling and its neighbors
Sterling is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| West Boylston | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Holden | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sterling | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Princeton | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lancaster | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
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 Sterling 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 Sterling
Is Sterling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #64 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sterling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sterling since 2010, $7K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Sterling 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 Worcester County, 65% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sterling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sterling’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 Sterling?
By FEMA money that reached Sterling, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $904K to the Town of Sterling for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Sterling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Sterling’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sterling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sterling’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.