Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wayland than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wayland gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #7 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Wayland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wayland 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 Wayland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wayland, and Wayland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #7 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wayland’s residents live in 3 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, Wayland has less expected damage per building than 98% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Wayland: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wayland flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wayland, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter7 claims · $52K
Wayland 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wayland
Disasters that paid out in Wayland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wayland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$90K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$107K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$86K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$34K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$49K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding99 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$475K to the Town of Wayland for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$85K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2004Flooding1 households applied for aid$536 aid approved
- 2003Snow$53K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Wayland for repairs
- 2001Snow$45K to the Town of Wayland for repairs2 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 Wayland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wayland archive →Wayland and its neighbors
Wayland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Lincoln | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Sudbury | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Framingham | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 165 |
| Natick | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Weston | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Cochituate | — | 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 Wayland 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 Wayland
Is Wayland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wayland has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #7 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wayland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Wayland since 1979, $108K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (7).
Is Wayland 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 Wayland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wayland’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 Wayland?
By FEMA money that reached Wayland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 99 households applied for aid, $137K approved, and $475K to the Town of Wayland for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 7 paid, $52K.
Is Wayland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Wayland’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wayland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wayland’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.