Lightning Risk in Massachusetts
All Massachusetts counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index lightning score
Lightning risk — electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties — is rated for 14 of 14 Massachusetts counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Suffolk County carries the state's highest lightning score at 97.8, with $2M in expected annual lightning losses.
7 Massachusetts counties are rated High or Very High for lightning, and expected annual losses from lightning total roughly $15M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Lightning
| # | County | Lightning Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suffolk County | Very High | 19.97 / yr | $2M | |
| 2 | Middlesex County | High | 21.62 / yr | $3M | |
| 3 | Essex County | High | 19.41 / yr | $2M | |
| 4 | Worcester County | High | 22.50 / yr | $2M | |
| 5 | Plymouth County | High | 18.66 / yr | $2M | |
| 6 | Barnstable County | High | 15.13 / yr | $1M | |
| 7 | Norfolk County | High | 20.99 / yr | $1M | |
| 8 | Bristol County | Medium | 20.00 / yr | $650K | |
| 9 | Hampden County | Medium | 26.53 / yr | $443K | |
| 10 | Berkshire County | Medium | 26.34 / yr | $469K | |
| 11 | Hampshire County | Medium | 25.32 / yr | $606K | |
| 12 | Franklin County | Medium | 24.11 / yr | $383K | |
| 13 | Dukes County | Very Low | 15.85 / yr | $50K | |
| 14 | Nantucket County | Very Low | 14.42 / yr | $36K |
14 Massachusetts counties with measurable lightning risk. See the national lightning ranking or all Massachusetts counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Massachusetts county has the highest lightning risk?
Suffolk County has the highest FEMA lightning risk score in Massachusetts at 97.8 (Very High), with $2M in expected annual losses and about 19.97 events per year.
How many Massachusetts counties face significant lightning risk?
14 Massachusetts counties record measurable lightning risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 7 of them are rated High or Very High.