Boston, MA Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Boston faces significant coastal flooding risk, particularly in areas built on filled tidelands including Back Bay, the Seaport District, and East Boston. Nor'easters and hurricanes can drive storm surge into Boston Harbor and up the Charles River.
Suffolk County has recorded 4,369 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $29.0M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 1
NFIP Policies
10,951
Suffolk County
Avg. Premium
$916/yr
Suffolk County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Suffolk County
Properties in Suffolk County have filed 4,369 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $29.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $7K.
Highest-Claim Years
1991
731 claims - $7.6M
1979
675 claims - $1.9M
1978
527 claims - $4.0M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Suffolk County
Only roughly 1 in 29 households in Suffolk County carries NFIP flood insurance (3% of estimated households). With 72 recorded flood events and $22.1M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
3%
roughly 1 in 29 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
4,369 claims over 45+ years across 10,951 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$6,630
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Suffolk County has averaged 1 claim for every 3 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Boston.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Suffolk County
Suffolk County has 472 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 45 severe repetitive loss properties. 4 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
472
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
45
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
4
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 407 of 472 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Suffolk County
Suffolk County has been included in 16 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 8 earlier declarations since 1972.
These declarations affected communities across Suffolk County, including Boston.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Suffolk County
NOAA has recorded 72 flood events in Suffolk County since 1996, causing $22.1M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Suffolk County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 171 properties in Suffolk County, investing $753K in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Suffolk County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $59.5M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $6.3M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $12.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Boston
Boston faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Boston are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $59.5M. Properties in Boston's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements. Boston has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Boston means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Boston address.
Boston, MA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Boston, MA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Boston are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Boston?
If your Boston property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Boston?
Enter your Boston address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in Boston?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Suffolk County (where Boston is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $59.5M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Boston experienced major flooding events?
Suffolk County, where Boston is located, has been part of 16 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Lee in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Boston?
Suffolk County has recorded 4,369 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $29.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1991, with 731 claims and $7.6M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Boston.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Boston?
Suffolk County had 10,951 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $916. The most policies are in Zone AE (7,733 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Boston properties have flooded repeatedly?
Suffolk County has 472 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 45 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Boston property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Boston?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Boston's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Massachusetts Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Boston, MA Address
Enter a Boston, MA address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.