Enter any address in Franklin County, Massachusetts to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Franklin County, MA. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 52 flood events and 38 flash flood events, alongside 3 tropical storm events. For example, flash flooding occurred in June 2025 following severe thunderstorms that brought heavy rain to western and central Massachusetts.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $39,415 and an average water depth of 7.4 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also show a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $22,620 and an average water depth of 6.5 feet.
Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those located near rivers or in areas without a defined Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
50 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, Massachusetts has recorded 93 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 38 flash floods and 52 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1985–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Lee | Hurricane | Sep 15, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Severe Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Tropical Storm Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 11, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2021 | 7.00K |
| Flood | Jul 18, 2021 | 7.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2021 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 6, 2025
After one rouge severe storm in northeast MA in the morning, a cold front brought a round of strong to severe storms through western and central Massachusetts during the afternoon and evening. These storms dropped quarter sized hail, produced damaging winds, and some flash flooding.
Flash Flood — May 21, 2024
A small cluster of thunderstorms formed over northwest Massachusetts during the afternoon and early evening causing some severe hail and wind damage to a few towns.
Flood — Jun 21, 2024
Two rounds of thunderstorms brought damaging winds and isolated flash flooding to Massachusetts in the afternoon and evening.
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2023
A warm front stalled across Connecticut and Rhode Island, producing thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall. This caused significant flash flooding. Also, wind shear was just strong enough for a few thunderstorms to become severe, with locally damaging wind gusts. A Tornado Warning was even issued for a storm in northern Worcester County, but no tornado damage was reported.
Flood — Jul 10, 2023
An anomalously amplified mid level trough moving east from the Great Lakes closed off and brought widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms which lead to flooding in western and central Massachusetts. Many roads were closed and cars were stuck in flood waters.
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.