Photo: Trevorwelsh · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Wellesley’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellesley gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #112 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 Wellesley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wellesley 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 Wellesley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellesley, and Wellesley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #112 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellesley’s residents live in 6 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, Wellesley has less expected damage per building than 61% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Wellesley: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellesley flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellesley, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter11 claims · $78K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $10K
Wellesley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Norfolk County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wellesley
Disasters that paid out in Wellesley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wellesley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$231K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$194K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$139K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$158K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$96K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$88K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding140 households applied for aid$160K aid approved$108K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$130K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$113K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
- 2003Snow$60K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs
- 2001Snow$70K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Norfolk County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wellesley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellesley archive →Wellesley and its neighbors
Wellesley is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natick | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Needham | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Weston | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Dover | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Wellesley | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Newton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 302 |
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 Wellesley 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 Wellesley
Is Wellesley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellesley has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #112 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellesley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Wellesley since 1979, $205K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% 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 (11).
Is Wellesley 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 Norfolk County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wellesley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellesley’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 Wellesley?
By FEMA money that reached Wellesley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 140 households applied for aid, $160K approved, and $108K to the Town of Wellesley for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 11 paid, $78K.
Is Wellesley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Wellesley’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellesley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellesley’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.