New Bedford, MA Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
New Bedford's harbor and waterfront are vulnerable to coastal flooding from hurricanes and nor'easters. The New Bedford Hurricane Barrier provides protection but could be overwhelmed by extreme storm surge events.
Bristol County has recorded 1,558 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $13.7M 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
3,902
Bristol County
Avg. Premium
$1,353/yr
Bristol County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Bristol County
Properties in Bristol County have filed 1,558 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $13.7M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $9K.
Highest-Claim Years
1991
491 claims - $5.2M
2010
213 claims - $2.5M
1978
136 claims - $262K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Bristol County
Only roughly 1 in 59 households in Bristol County carries NFIP flood insurance (2% of estimated households). With 172 recorded flood events and $39.8M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
2%
roughly 1 in 59 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
1,558 claims over 45+ years across 3,902 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$8,792
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Bristol 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 New Bedford.
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: Bristol County
Bristol County has 82 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 8 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
82
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
8
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Bristol County
Bristol County has been included in 12 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 4 earlier declarations since 1978.
These declarations affected communities across Bristol County, including New Bedford.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Bristol County
NOAA has recorded 172 flood events in Bristol County since 1996, causing $39.8M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Bristol County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 15 properties in Bristol County, investing $59K 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.
Levee Protection: New Bedford
The USACE National Levee Database lists 1 levee system protecting parts of New Bedford. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
New Bedford HSPP, MA
AccreditedProtects against: Buzzards Bay, Buzzards Bay, Clark Cove, Priests Cove - Sponsor: City of New Bedford, Town of Fairhaven, USACE - New England District - 3.12 sq mi protected
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Bristol 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: $61.9M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $922K
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $10.5M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in New Bedford
New Bedford 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 New Bedford are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $61.9M. Properties in New Bedford'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 New Bedford 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 New Bedford address.
New Bedford, MA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in New Bedford, MA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in New Bedford are Zone AE, Zone VE, 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 New Bedford?
If your New Bedford 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 New Bedford?
Enter your New Bedford 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 New Bedford?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Bristol County (where New Bedford is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $61.9M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has New Bedford experienced major flooding events?
Bristol County, where New Bedford is located, has been part of 12 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in New Bedford?
Bristol County has recorded 1,558 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $13.7M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1991, with 491 claims and $5.2M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including New Bedford.
How many flood insurance policies are there in New Bedford?
Bristol County had 3,902 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $1,353. The most policies are in Zone AE (2,080 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 New Bedford properties have flooded repeatedly?
Bristol County has 82 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 8 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.
Is New Bedford protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 1 levee system protecting parts of New Bedford (New Bedford HSPP, MA). All of these are FEMA-accredited, meaning the area they protect is generally mapped as Zone X rather than a high-risk zone. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my New Bedford 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 New Bedford?
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 New Bedford'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 New Bedford, MA Address
Enter a New Bedford, 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.