Photo: IFCAR · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Watertown than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #159 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Watertown 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 Watertown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watertown, and Watertown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #159 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watertown’s residents live in 10 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, Watertown has more expected damage per building than 56% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Watertown: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watertown flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watertown, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $378K
Watertown 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watertown
Disasters that paid out in Watertown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Watertown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$259K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$239K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$36K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$146K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding177 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$8K to the City of Watertown for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$51K to the City of Watertown for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$191K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2003Snow$169K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2003Snow$121K to the City of Watertown for repairs
- 2001Snow$133K to the City of Watertown for repairs1 flood claim 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 Watertown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watertown archive →Watertown and its neighbors
Watertown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 209 |
| Cambridge | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Newton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 302 |
| Watertown | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Belmont | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Waltham | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Is Watertown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watertown has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #159 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Watertown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Watertown since 1979, $797K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (5).
Is Watertown 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 Watertown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watertown’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 Watertown?
By FEMA money that reached Watertown, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2018): $259K to the City of Watertown for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 5 paid, $378K.
Is Watertown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Watertown’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watertown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watertown’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.