Enter any address in Barnstable County, Massachusetts to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is a significant concern for Barnstable County, MA. Recent events include coastal flooding on January 13, 2024, and April 4, 2024, driven by low-pressure systems and Nor'easters that brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, contributing to coastal inundation.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates a substantial number of claims in Zone A (1474 claims) and Zone V (587 claims), suggesting a high exposure for properties in these areas. Zone A properties experienced an average water depth of 1.9 feet, while Zone V properties saw an average of 2.9 feet, with higher average payouts in Zone V. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A and Zone V, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
61 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Barnstable County, Massachusetts has recorded 113 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 18 flash floods and 36 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Lee | Hurricane | Sep 15, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 28, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Henri | Hurricane | Aug 20, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 2, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Tropical Storm Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | 3.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | 0.80K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | 1.50K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | 0.10K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2024
A low pressure system over the southern Plains strengthened significantly as it reached the eastern Great Lakes. This placed New England on the warm side of the storm with strong SE winds and rain instead of snow. This lead to widespread river flooding and coastal flooding on both the south and east coasts of southern New England. The heaviest rain fell over eastern CT, RI, and eastern MA with ...
Coastal Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A negatively tilted mid level trough swung through New England while at the surface a low pressure center passed directly over southern New England. This inland runner brought warm air so that all precipitation fell as rain, along with strong winds. There was a good deal of tree damage from the winds and widespread river flooding with many rivers going into major flood stage. Coastal flooding w...
Coastal Flood — Apr 4, 2024
A strong Nor'easter passed offshore of southern New England bringing widespread heavy rainfall, high elevation snow and sleet, as well as strong winds to the region. There was minor flooding on some rivers as well as minor to moderate coastal flooding along the east coast of MA. This was a late season snow storm with very elevation dependent snowfall totals from 0 to over 8 inches. Wind damage ...
Tropical Storm — Sep 16, 2023
Hurricane Lee passed east of Southern New England during the morning hours moving toward maritime Canada by midday. As it passed by it produced some tropical storm level sustained winds and wind gusts but impact was minimal. There were some downed trees and power lines and the maximum wind gust was 62 mph on the bay side of Cape Cod.
Flash Flood — Sep 11, 2023
A deamplifying mid level shortwave with dewpoints in the 70s and decent instability brought scattered thunderstorms and widespread flash flooding to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. There were many streets closed, many cars stranded in flood waters, and several houses with flooded basements or first floors.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Barnstable County, Massachusetts:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Barnstable County, Massachusetts that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.