Heat Wave Risk in Massachusetts
All Massachusetts counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index heat wave score
Heat Wave risk — prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure — is rated for 13 of 14 Massachusetts counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Suffolk County carries the state's highest heat wave score at 97.5, with $9M in expected annual heat wave losses.
1 Massachusetts county is rated High or Very High for heat wave, and expected annual losses from heat wave total roughly $38M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Heat Wave
| # | County | Heat Wave Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suffolk County | High | 5.25 / yr | $9M | |
| 2 | Middlesex County | Medium | 5.70 / yr | $9M | |
| 3 | Essex County | Medium | 5.07 / yr | $4M | |
| 4 | Worcester County | Medium | 4.36 / yr | $3M | |
| 5 | Hampden County | Medium | 5.06 / yr | $2M | |
| 6 | Norfolk County | Medium | 6.07 / yr | $4M | |
| 7 | Bristol County | Medium | 5.07 / yr | $3M | |
| 8 | Plymouth County | Medium | 5.09 / yr | $3M | |
| 9 | Hampshire County | Low | 4.00 / yr | $732K | |
| 10 | Franklin County | Low | 3.46 / yr | $406K | |
| 11 | Barnstable County | Low | 1.11 / yr | $230K | |
| 12 | Berkshire County | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $177K | |
| 13 | Dukes County | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $14K |
13 Massachusetts counties with measurable heat wave risk. See the national heat wave ranking or all Massachusetts counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Massachusetts county has the highest heat wave risk?
Suffolk County has the highest FEMA heat wave risk score in Massachusetts at 97.5 (High), with $9M in expected annual losses and about 5.25 events per year.
How many Massachusetts counties face significant heat wave risk?
13 Massachusetts counties record measurable heat wave risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 1 of them are rated High or Very High.