Natural Disasters in Needham, MA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
92.0
Relatively Moderate
Expected Annual Loss
94.0
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
12.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
93.0
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Hurricane | 92.2 |
| Earthquake | 91.5 |
| Ice Storm | 89.7 |
| Heat Wave | 89.6 |
| Lightning | 85.5 |
| Coastal Flood | 85.2 |
| Cold Wave | 73.9 |
| Landslide | 72.1 |
| Tornado | 69.0 |
| Strong Wind | 66.3 |
| Wildfire | 49.8 |
| Winter Weather | 49.2 |
| Drought | 41.4 |
| Hail | 10.2 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
38
Most Recent
Hurricane
Sep 2023
Most Common Type
Snowstorm
9 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2023 | Hurricane | HURRICANE LEE |
| Apr 18, 2022 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Mar 27, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Jun 25, 2018 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND FLOODING |
| Apr 13, 2015 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, SNOWSTORM, AND FLOODING |
| Apr 19, 2013 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM, SNOWSTORM, AND FLOODING |
| Apr 17, 2013 | Terrorist | EXPLOSIONS |
| Oct 28, 2012 | Hurricane | HURRICANE SANDY |
| Nov 1, 2011 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORM |
| Sep 3, 2011 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM IRENE |
| Aug 26, 2011 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IRENE |
| Mar 7, 2011 | Snowstorm | SEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM |
| Sep 2, 2010 | Hurricane | HURRICANE EARL |
| May 3, 2010 | Other | WATER MAIN BREAK |
| Mar 29, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Nov 10, 2005 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Sep 13, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Feb 17, 2005 | Snowstorm | RECORD AND/OR NEAR RECORD SNOW |
Showing 20 of 38 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
3,261
Total Claims Paid
$25,915,243
Avg Claim Payout
$7,947
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$96,804,706
Disasters with PA
13
Total Projects
1,057
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4496 | Biological | 178 | $51,481,681 |
| DR-4214 | Severe Storm(s) | 159 | $9,261,346 |
| DR-4372 | Severe Storm(s) | 68 | $6,875,356 |
| DR-4651 | Winter Storm | 40 | $5,279,440 |
| DR-4110 | Severe Storm(s) | 79 | $4,855,562 |
| DR-3201 | Snow | 74 | $4,198,576 |
| DR-4379 | Winter Storm | 69 | $4,047,879 |
| DR-1895 | Severe Storm(s) | 181 | $3,362,860 |
| DR-1959 | Snow | 55 | $3,091,795 |
| DR-3175 | Snow | 59 | $2,243,191 |
| DR-4028 | Hurricane | 87 | $2,024,728 |
| DR-3315 | Hurricane | 4 | $42,494 |
| DR-3362 | Terrorist Attack | 4 | $39,797 |
Needham has a relatively moderate overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are hurricane, earthquake, ice storm. The area has had 38 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is snowstorm (9 declarations). 3,261 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $96,804,706 in public assistance recovery funding.