Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Taunton than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taunton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #172 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1979.
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 Taunton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Taunton 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 Taunton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taunton, and Taunton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #172 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Taunton’s residents live in 11 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, Taunton has more expected damage per building than 61% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.4M a year in losses across Taunton: $10.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taunton flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taunton, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter31 claims · $547K
- The December Storm - nor’easter2 claims · $50K
Taunton 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.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Taunton
Disasters that paid out in Taunton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Taunton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$418K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$46K to the City of Taunton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$408K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$329K to the City of Taunton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$65K to the City of Taunton for repairs
Show all 14
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$87K to the City of Taunton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Earl$2K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding727 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$104K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding87 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$232K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$232K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2003Snow$131K to the City of Taunton for repairs
- 2003Snow$97K to the City of Taunton 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 Taunton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taunton archive →Taunton and its neighbors
Taunton is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dighton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Berkley | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Lakeville | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Norton | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Middleborough | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Taunton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Rehoboth | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Raynham | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Lakeville | — | 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 Taunton 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 Taunton
Is Taunton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taunton has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #172 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Taunton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Taunton since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (31).
Is Taunton 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 Taunton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taunton’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 Taunton?
By FEMA money that reached Taunton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 727 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $104K to the City of Taunton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 31 paid, $547K.
Is Taunton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Taunton’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taunton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taunton’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.