Photo: RedSoxFan274 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Wakefield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakefield gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #95 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1978.
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 Wakefield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wakefield 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 Wakefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wakefield, and Wakefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #95 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wakefield’s residents live in 5 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, Wakefield has less expected damage per building than 67% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Wakefield: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wakefield flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wakefield, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter14 claims · $85K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Wakefield 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wakefield
Disasters that paid out in Wakefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wakefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$162K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$307K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$153K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$41K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$130K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding385 households applied for aid$492K aid approved$760K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding367 households applied for aid$668K aid approved$171K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$141K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Flooding69 households applied for aid$86K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$141K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2003Snow$77K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2001Snow$106K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
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 Wakefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wakefield archive →Wakefield and its neighbors
Wakefield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Lynnfield | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Stoneham | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wakefield | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Melrose | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Saugus | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 281 |
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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield
Is Wakefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakefield has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #95 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wakefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Wakefield since 1978, $490K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (14).
Is Wakefield 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 Wakefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wakefield’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 Wakefield?
By FEMA money that reached Wakefield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 385 households applied for aid, $492K approved, and $760K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 14 paid, $85K.
Is Wakefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Wakefield’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wakefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wakefield’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.