Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Wenham’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wenham gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #4 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1982.
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 Wenham 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 Wenham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wenham, and Wenham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #4 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wenham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wenham has less expected damage per building than 99% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $757K a year in losses across Wenham: $644K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wenham flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wenham, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wenham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wenham
Disasters that paid out in Wenham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wenham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$43K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$6K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$24K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$22K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Flooding5 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
- 2001Snow$20K to the Town of Wenham for repairs
Essex County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wenham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wenham archive →Wenham and its neighbors
Wenham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wenham | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Beverly | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Hamilton | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Danvers | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Manchester-by-the-Sea | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Topsfield | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Wenham 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 Wenham
Is Wenham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wenham has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #4 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wenham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wenham since 1982, $724 in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wenham 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 Essex County, 58% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wenham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wenham’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 Wenham?
By FEMA money that reached Wenham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 24 households applied for aid, $40K approved, and $24K to the Town of Wenham for repairs.
Is Wenham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Wenham’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wenham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wenham’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.