Photo: Srodegast · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, West Tisbury faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Tisbury gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #155 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1991.
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 Tisbury 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
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 Tisbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Tisbury, and West Tisbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #155 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Tisbury’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, West Tisbury has more expected damage per building than 55% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across West Tisbury: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Tisbury flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Tisbury, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bob2 claims · $6K
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $10K
West Tisbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dukes County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Tisbury
Disasters that paid out in West Tisbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Tisbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$20K to the Town of West Tisbury for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$1K to the Town of West Tisbury for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$18K to the Town of West Tisbury for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of West Tisbury for repairs
Dukes County has had 16 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 West Tisbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Tisbury archive →West Tisbury and its neighbors
West Tisbury is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tisbury | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Chilmark | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Tisbury | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Edgartown | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Gosnold | — | 31 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Tisbury 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.
- 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 Tisbury
Is West Tisbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Tisbury has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #155 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (33%). 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 West Tisbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in West Tisbury since 1991, $26K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Bob (2).
Is West Tisbury 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 Dukes County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Tisbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Tisbury’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 Tisbury?
By FEMA money that reached West Tisbury, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2015): $20K to the Town of West Tisbury for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Bob: 2 paid, $6K.
Is West Tisbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and West Tisbury’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Tisbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Tisbury’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.