Mount Vernon Cemetery · Photo: Pvmoutside · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts West Boylston’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Boylston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #42 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2007.
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 West Boylston 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 West Boylston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Boylston, and West Boylston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #42 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Boylston’s residents live in 2 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, West Boylston has less expected damage per building than 85% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across West Boylston: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Boylston flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Boylston, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $42K
West Boylston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Boylston
Disasters that paid out in West Boylston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Boylston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$42K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$44K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$2K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$395K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$4K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$25K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
- 2001Snow$17K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs
Worcester County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Boylston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Boylston archive →West Boylston and its neighbors
West Boylston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Boylston | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Boylston | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Shrewsbury | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Holden | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sterling | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Worcester | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
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 West Boylston 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 West Boylston
Is West Boylston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Boylston has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #42 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Boylston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in West Boylston since 2007, $52K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is West Boylston 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 Worcester County, 65% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Boylston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Boylston’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 West Boylston?
By FEMA money that reached West Boylston, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $395K to the Town of West Boylston for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $42K.
Is West Boylston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and West Boylston’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Boylston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Boylston’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.