Enter any address in Suffolk County, Massachusetts to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is a significant concern for Suffolk County, MA, with 42 recorded coastal flood events in the last 30 years, alongside numerous other flood types. Recent events include coastal flooding in January 2024, driven by a low-pressure system and strong southeast winds, and April 2024, associated with a Nor'easter bringing heavy rainfall and coastal inundation.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a substantial number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $7,422 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Claims were also filed in Zone X and Zone X_SHADED, indicating flood risk beyond high-risk areas. Homeowners with properties located in coastal areas, as well as those in or near riverine floodplains, should be particularly aware of their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
35 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Suffolk County, Massachusetts has recorded 126 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 31 flash floods and 41 river or area floods. The county has received 38 federal disaster declarations, 8 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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
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.
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 — Mar 10, 2024
A low pressure system moving up the east coast linked up with a mid level trough bringing widespread 1-2 inches of rain overnight along with gusty winds which led to some minor coastal flooding in MA.
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 ...
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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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.