Whitman Park · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Whitman than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitman gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #103 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Whitman 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 Whitman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitman, and Whitman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #103 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whitman’s residents live in 4 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, Whitman has less expected damage per building than 64% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Whitman: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitman flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whitman, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm4 claims · $143K
- The December Storm - nor’easter2 claims · $52K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Whitman 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whitman
Disasters that paid out in Whitman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Whitman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$37K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$76K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$6K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$18K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$33K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Earl$9K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding130 households applied for aid$132K aid approved$18K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$11K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$65K aid approved
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$66K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2003Snow$41K to the Town of Whitman for repairs
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Whitman 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 Whitman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitman archive →Whitman and its neighbors
Whitman is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanson | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Whitman | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Abington | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Brockton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 267 |
| East Bridgewater | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Whitman 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 Whitman
Is Whitman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitman has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #103 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whitman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Whitman since 1978, $211K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (4).
Is Whitman 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 Whitman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitman’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 Whitman?
By FEMA money that reached Whitman, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 130 households applied for aid, $132K approved, and $18K to the Town of Whitman for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 4 paid, $143K.
Is Whitman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Whitman’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitman’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.