Massachusetts Natural Disaster Risk by County
FEMA National Risk Index rankings for all 14 counties
Massachusetts spans 14 counties with an average FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.8 (high risk) and roughly $1.48B in combined expected annual loss statewide. 2 counties are rated High or Very High risk.
The highest-risk county is Middlesex County (score 96.9, high), while Dukes County (score 16.8) carries the lowest. Use the table below to compare every county by score, top hazard, and expected annual loss.
County Rankings
| # | County | Risk Score | Risk Rating | Top Hazard | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesex County | High | Ice Storm | $322M | |
| 2 | Essex County | High | Coastal Flood | $199M | |
| 3 | Suffolk County | Medium | Lightning | $115M | |
| 4 | Worcester County | Medium | Ice Storm | $163M | |
| 5 | Hampden County | Medium | Riverine Flood | $107M | |
| 6 | Norfolk County | Medium | Riverine Flood | $147M | |
| 7 | Plymouth County | Medium | Coastal Flood | $114M | |
| 8 | Bristol County | Medium | Riverine Flood | $87M | |
| 9 | Barnstable County | Medium | Coastal Flood | $82M | |
| 10 | Berkshire County | Medium | Riverine Flood | $52M | |
| 11 | Hampshire County | Low | Hurricane | $37M | |
| 12 | Franklin County | Low | Landslide | $23M | |
| 13 | Nantucket County | Very Low | Hurricane | $23M | |
| 14 | Dukes County | Very Low | Hurricane | $7M |
All 14 Massachusetts counties, ranked by FEMA National Risk Index score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Massachusetts county has the highest natural disaster risk?
Middlesex County has the highest FEMA National Risk Index score in Massachusetts at 96.9 (High), driven largely by ice storm.
What is the average natural disaster risk in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts counties average a National Risk Index score of 78.8 across 14 counties, with 2 rated High or Very High risk.
How much are expected annual losses across Massachusetts?
FEMA estimates roughly $1.48B in combined expected annual loss from natural hazards across all Massachusetts counties.