Cape Cod, MA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Cape Cod is a geographic region encompassing all of Barnstable County and faces coastal flooding from Atlantic storms on both the ocean and bay sides. Low-lying areas, barrier beaches, and coastal bluffs are eroding and increasingly vulnerable to storm surge and sea level rise.
Barnstable County has recorded 3,175 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $42.7M 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
11,385
Barnstable County
Avg. Premium
$1,315/yr
Barnstable County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Barnstable 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 ModerateEst. annual loss: $44.2M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $12.3M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $20.0M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Barnstable County
Barnstable County has been included in 13 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 5 earlier declarations since 1978.
These declarations affected communities across Barnstable County, including Cape Cod.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Barnstable County
Properties in Barnstable County have filed 3,175 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $42.7M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $13K.
Highest-Claim Years
1991
1,362 claims - $19.9M
2018
294 claims - $8.8M
1987
135 claims - $658K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Barnstable County
Only roughly 1 in 8 households in Barnstable County carries NFIP flood insurance (13% of estimated households). This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage, meaning many flood losses may go uninsured.
Penetration Rate
13%
roughly 1 in 8 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 4
3,175 claims over 45+ years across 11,385 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$13,436
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Barnstable County has averaged 1 claim for every 4 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 March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Cape Cod.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Cape Cod
Cape Cod is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Cape Cod are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $44.2M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Cape Cod's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Cape Cod are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water 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.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Cape Cod address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Barnstable County
Barnstable County has 185 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 14 severe repetitive loss properties. 6 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
185
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
14
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
6
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 181 of 185 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Barnstable County
NOAA has recorded 54 flood events in Barnstable County since 1996, causing $303K in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Barnstable County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 15 properties in Barnstable County, investing $95K 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 March 2026.
Cape Cod, MA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Cape Cod, MA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Cape Cod are Zone VE, Zone AE, 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 Cape Cod?
If your Cape Cod 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 over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Cape Cod?
Enter your Cape Cod 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.
What type of flooding affects Cape Cod?
Cape Cod is primarily affected by coastal flooding including storm surge and wave action. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Cape Cod address.
Has Cape Cod experienced major flooding events?
Barnstable County, where Cape Cod is located, has been part of 13 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 Cape Cod?
Barnstable County has recorded 3,175 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $42.7M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1991, with 1,362 claims and $19.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Cape Cod.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Cape Cod?
Barnstable County currently has 11,385 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,315. The most policies are in Zone AE (6,638 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Cape Cod properties have flooded repeatedly?
Barnstable County has 185 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 14 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 Cape Cod 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 Cape Cod?
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 Cape Cod's Zone VE and Zone AE 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.
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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 March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.