Photo: T.S. Custadio ToddC4176 23:31, 14 March 2007 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Bridgewater than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bridgewater gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #72 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
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 Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Bridgewater, and West Bridgewater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #72 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Bridgewater’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 Bridgewater has less expected damage per building than 75% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across West Bridgewater: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Bridgewater flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Bridgewater, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $1K
West Bridgewater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Plymouth County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Bridgewater
Disasters that paid out in West Bridgewater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Bridgewater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$77K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$32K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$61K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$12K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$18K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$68K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding105 households applied for aid$263K aid approved$27K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$60K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2003Snow$33K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
- 2003Snow$34K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs
Plymouth County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Bridgewater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Bridgewater archive →West Bridgewater and its neighbors
West Bridgewater has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bridgewater | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brockton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 267 |
| Bridgewater Town | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
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 Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater
Is West Bridgewater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bridgewater has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #72 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Bridgewater flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Bridgewater since 1978, $2K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (1).
Is West Bridgewater 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 Plymouth County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Bridgewater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Bridgewater’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 Bridgewater?
By FEMA money that reached West Bridgewater, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 105 households applied for aid, $263K approved, and $27K to the Town of West Bridgewater for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 1 paid, $1K.
Is West Bridgewater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and West Bridgewater’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Bridgewater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Bridgewater’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.