Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Worcester than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worcester gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #133 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 186 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 stands out about Worcester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Worcester 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 Worcester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Worcester, and Worcester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #133 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Worcester’s residents live in 46 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, Worcester has less expected damage per building than 53% of Massachusetts towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Worcester has lower expected damage per building than 88% (#47 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $30.7M, is the 352th largest of those 400.
Does Worcester flood? Yes: 186 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Worcester, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $44K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $23K
Worcester is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Worcester
Disasters that paid out in Worcester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Worcester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$200 aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding137 households applied for aid$157K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding224 households applied for aid$368K aid approved25 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Flooding7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Worcester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Worcester archive →Worcester and its neighbors
Worcester is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Boylston | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Shrewsbury | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Auburn | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Grafton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Millbury | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| 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 Worcester 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.
- Worcester residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Worcester
Is Worcester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worcester has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #133 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Worcester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 186 claims in Worcester since 1978, $5.5M in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (6).
Is Worcester 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 Worcester?
Worcester is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Worcester?
By FEMA money that reached Worcester, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 224 households applied for aid, $368K approved. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 6 paid, $44K.
Is Worcester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Worcester’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Worcester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Worcester’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.