Hurricane Risk in Massachusetts
All Massachusetts counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index hurricane score
Hurricane risk — tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge — is rated for 14 of 14 Massachusetts counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Worcester County carries the state's highest hurricane score at 96.6, with $37M in expected annual hurricane losses.
6 Massachusetts counties are rated High or Very High for hurricane, and expected annual losses from hurricane total roughly $193M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Hurricane
| # | County | Hurricane Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester County | High | 0.13 / yr | $37M | |
| 2 | Middlesex County | High | 0.16 / yr | $30M | |
| 3 | Barnstable County | High | 0.15 / yr | $20M | |
| 4 | Suffolk County | High | 0.18 / yr | $13M | |
| 5 | Essex County | High | 0.17 / yr | $15M | |
| 6 | Hampden County | High | 0.11 / yr | $12M | |
| 7 | Norfolk County | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $16M | |
| 8 | Bristol County | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $10M | |
| 9 | Nantucket County | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $17M | |
| 10 | Plymouth County | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $11M | |
| 11 | Hampshire County | Medium | 0.10 / yr | $4M | |
| 12 | Berkshire County | Medium | 0.08 / yr | $3M | |
| 13 | Dukes County | Low | 0.16 / yr | $2M | |
| 14 | Franklin County | Low | 0.08 / yr | $2M |
14 Massachusetts counties with measurable hurricane risk. See the national hurricane ranking or all Massachusetts counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Massachusetts county has the highest hurricane risk?
Worcester County has the highest FEMA hurricane risk score in Massachusetts at 96.6 (High), with $37M in expected annual losses and about 0.13 events per year.
How many Massachusetts counties face significant hurricane risk?
14 Massachusetts counties record measurable hurricane risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 6 of them are rated High or Very High.