Enter any address in Bristol County, Massachusetts to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe storms is the most frequent flood event in Bristol County, MA. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA data recorded 116 flood events, 60 of which were flash floods, alongside 14 coastal flood events and 11 tropical storms. Recent examples include localized flash flooding reported in September 2025 following heavy showers, and widespread river and coastal flooding in January 2024, exacerbated by strong southeast winds and heavy rain.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has processed 725 claims in Zone A, 259 in Zone V, and 116 in Zone X. Homeowners in coastal areas, particularly those in Zone V, and properties located near rivers or in lower-lying areas designated as Zone A, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties in Zone X, while having fewer claims, have shown a wide range in average payout amounts, suggesting that flood risk can vary significantly even within these zones.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
97 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bristol County, Massachusetts has recorded 202 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 60 flash floods and 116 river or area floods. The county has received 30 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 Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 11, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 28, 2022 |
| 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 |
| Explosions | Terrorist | Apr 15, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 8, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 25, 2025
A trough of low pressure brough some widely scattered heavy showers to RI and southeast MA which caused some localized flash flooding problems in MA and RI.
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
A mid level shortwave and surface cold front brough a smattering of strong to severe storms to southern New England in the evening and early overnight hours. This resulted in scattered wind damage reports in northeast CT, northern RI, and central MA. It also resulted in some flash flooding in southeast MA.
Flash Flood — Jul 8, 2025
A mid level shortwave and surface cold front brough a smattering of strong to severe storms to southern New England in the evening and early overnight hours. This resulted in scattered wind damage reports in northeast CT, northern RI, and central MA. It also resulted in some flash flooding in southeast MA.
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2024
A cold pool aloft and surface front caused a round of strong to severe storms over all of southern New England. Hail from 1 to 2 inches fell in MA, RI, and CT while localized flash flooding was observed in southern RI and MA.
Flood — May 23, 2024
A passing cold front brought a round of strong storms through southern New England. Training storms moving over New Bedford caused flash flooding in addition to Providence, Rhode Island. Earlier in the day it caused wind damage in Connecticut.
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 Bristol 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 Bristol 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.