Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Townsend than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Townsend gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #151 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Townsend 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 Townsend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Townsend, and Townsend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #151 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Townsend’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, Townsend has more expected damage per building than 53% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Townsend: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Townsend flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Townsend, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $24K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $481
Townsend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Townsend
Disasters that paid out in Townsend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Townsend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Town of Townsend for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$36K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$30K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$147K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$2K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$2K to the Town of Townsend for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$122K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$2K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$43K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2004Flooding5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$31K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2003Snow$30K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
- 2001Snow$31K to the Town of Townsend for repairs
Middlesex County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Townsend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Townsend archive →Townsend and its neighbors
Townsend is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashby | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lunenburg | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pepperell | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Townsend | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Brookline | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Townsend 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 Townsend
Is Townsend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Townsend has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #151 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Townsend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Townsend since 1979, $54K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (3).
Is Townsend 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Townsend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Townsend’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 Townsend?
By FEMA money that reached Townsend, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $147K to the Town of Townsend for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $24K.
Is Townsend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Townsend’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Townsend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Townsend’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.