Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Topsfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Topsfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #83 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Topsfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Topsfield 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 Topsfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Topsfield, and Topsfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #83 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Topsfield’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, Topsfield has less expected damage per building than 71% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Topsfield: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Topsfield flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Topsfield, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $92K
Topsfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Topsfield
Disasters that paid out in Topsfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Topsfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$12K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$64K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$47K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding71 households applied for aid$87K aid approved$73K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$12K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding108 households applied for aid$175K aid approved$58K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$46K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2004Flooding13 households applied for aid$14K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$40K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$34K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Essex County has had 32 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 Topsfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Topsfield archive →Topsfield and its neighbors
Topsfield is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wenham | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hamilton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Danvers | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Topsfield | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Boxford | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Middleton | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ipswich | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Topsfield 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 Topsfield
Is Topsfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Topsfield has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #83 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Topsfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Topsfield since 1979, $440K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Topsfield 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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Topsfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Topsfield’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 Topsfield?
By FEMA money that reached Topsfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 108 households applied for aid, $175K approved, and $58K to the Town of Topsfield for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $92K.
Is Topsfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Topsfield’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Topsfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Topsfield’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.