Enter any address in Middlesex County, Massachusetts to see its FEMA flood zone
River flooding and flash floods have been the dominant flood types in Middlesex County over the last 30 years, with 183 flood events and 75 flash flood events recorded by NOAA. Recent events illustrate the potential for significant impacts, including widespread river flooding and coastal inundation from a storm in January 2024, and flash flooding associated with severe thunderstorms in June 2024.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $10,184 and an average water depth of 4.2 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen higher average payouts ($12,795) with an average water depth of 2.4 feet, indicating that flood risk is not confined to high-risk areas. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in less regulated zones like X_UNSHADED and X, should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located near rivers or coastal areas are also particularly vulnerable.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
106 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Middlesex County, Massachusetts has recorded 264 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 75 flash floods and 183 river or area floods. The county has received 35 federal disaster declarations, 6 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 And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 13, 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 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Severe Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 26, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 7, 2025
A stationary boundary led to some heavy downpours which caused localized flooding in eastern MA.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2024
Strong storms moved through southern New England overnight bringing a line of very strong winds, some flash flooding, and two tornados to Massachusetts.
Flood — Jan 9, 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...
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2023
A shortwave disturbance and potent cold front brought multiple rounds of thunderstorms to Massachusetts in the afternoon and evening including a tornado in the Foxboro area. Flash flooding was also an issue with many cars becoming stuck in water and many closed roads.
Flood — Jun 26, 2023
A shortwave trough approaching from the eastern Great Lakes helped strengthen wind fields just enough to cause an isolated severe thunderstorm in the slopes of the Berkshires during the evening. Elsewhere, there were scattered afternoon thunderstorms with localized heavy rainfall in north-central into northeastern Massachusetts.
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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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.