West Sutton Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Sutton than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #61 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Sutton 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 Sutton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sutton, and Sutton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #61 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sutton’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, Sutton has less expected damage per building than 79% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Sutton: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sutton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sutton, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
Sutton 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sutton
Disasters that paid out in Sutton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sutton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$39K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$64K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$54K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$12K to the Town of Sutton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$26K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$18K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$32K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2003Snow$22K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2001Snow$14K to the Town of Sutton 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 Sutton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sutton archive →Sutton and its neighbors
Sutton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Grafton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Northbridge | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Millbury | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Douglas | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Oxford | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Uxbridge | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Whitinsville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Sutton 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 Sutton
Is Sutton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutton has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #61 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sutton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sutton since 2005, $20K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Sutton 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 Sutton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sutton’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 Sutton?
By FEMA money that reached Sutton, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $64K to the Town of Sutton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Sutton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Sutton’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sutton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sutton’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.