States › Massachusetts › Worcester County
Worcester County, Massachusetts
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 29 Sep 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Worcester County, Massachusetts, has 1,269 weather events in the NCEI Storm Events record since 1950, most of them damaging wind.
That is 84.0 events per 100 square miles, below the Massachusetts figure of 210.6, and 14.7 per 10,000 residents against 23.5 statewide.
38 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 96 deaths and 1,293 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $293M.
FEMA has designated the county in 32 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Storms And Flooding (major disaster, 15 May 2024).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 765 claims since 1978, of which 556 were paid, totalling $13M (about $23K per paid claim). FEMA counts 1,081 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Moderate" ($163M a year across 18 hazards).
54 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 0 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Massachusetts and the United States
| Measure | Worcester County | Massachusetts | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 1,269 | 16,427 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 84.0 | 210.6 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 14.7 | 23.5 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 38 | 307 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 96 | 160 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $293M | $1.2B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 0.9 | 5.1 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $23K | $16K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 7.3 | 9.2 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 907 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 259 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1953 | Tornado | Tornado | F4 | $250M | — | 90 | 1228 | County |
| 10 Aug 1979 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $2.5M | — | 2 | 2 | County |
| 31 May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 70 mph | $15K | — | 2 | — | County |
| 2 Jun 1989 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 127 mph | — | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 22 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 1 Jun 1956 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $25K | — | — | 14 | County |
| 21 Jul 2006 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 9 | County |
| 9 Aug 1997 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 22 Jun 1981 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $25K | — | — | 3 | County |
| 8 Jun 1996 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 5 Aug 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | $30K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 1 Jul 1971 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $25K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 23 May 1994 | Hail | Hail | 1.00 in | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 8 Jun 1996 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 22 Aug 2003 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 2 Sep 2013 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 4 Aug 2018 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $5.0M | — | — | 1 | County |
| 9 Jun 1953 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $2.5M | — | — | 1 | County |
| 21 May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | $50K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 9 Aug 1972 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $25K | — | — | 1 | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 May 2024 | DR-4780 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 15 Sep 2023 | EM-3599 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee | Public assistance |
| 27 Mar 2020 | DR-4496 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3438 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 19 Jul 2018 | DR-4379 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 13 Apr 2015 | DR-4214 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 19 Apr 2013 | DR-4110 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3350 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 6 Jan 2012 | DR-4051 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 1 Nov 2011 | EM-3343 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Public assistance |
| 26 Aug 2011 | EM-3330 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 15 Jun 2011 | DR-1994 | Major disaster | Tornado | Severe Storms And Tornadoes | Individual assistance |
| 2 Sep 2010 | EM-3315 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Earl | Public assistance |
| 29 Mar 2010 | DR-1895 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 5 Jan 2009 | DR-1813 | Major disaster | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 13 Dec 2008 | EM-3296 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 10 Nov 2005 | DR-1614 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2005 | EM-3252 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 17 Feb 2005 | EM-3201 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Record And/Or Near Record Snow | Public assistance |
| 21 Apr 2004 | DR-1512 | Major disaster | Flood | Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 15 Jan 2004 | EM-3191 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 11 Mar 2003 | EM-3175 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 10 Apr 2001 | DR-1364 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 28 Mar 2001 | EM-3165 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 6 Dec 1999 | EM-3153 | Emergency | Fire | Warehouse Fire. | Public assistance |
| 23 Jun 1998 | DR-1224 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 24 Jan 1996 | DR-1090 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 | Public assistance |
| 16 Mar 1993 | EM-3103 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Blizzards, High Winds & Record Snowfall | Public assistance |
| 21 Dec 1992 | DR-975 | Major disaster | Coastal Storm | Winter Coastal Storm | Public assistance |
| 26 Aug 1991 | DR-914 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Bob | Public assistance |
| 18 Apr 1987 | DR-790 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 1985 | DR-751 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria | Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 1 | $12,305 | $12,305 |
| 2023 | 38 | 33 | $1,886,392 | $57,163 |
| 2022 | 7 | 2 | $45,179 | $22,589 |
| 2021 | 14 | 10 | $422,812 | $42,281 |
| 2020 | 5 | 4 | $34,333 | $8,583 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 2 | $12,245 | $6,122 |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 | $1,146 | $1,146 |
| 2016 | 22 | 12 | $965,287 | $80,441 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 2 | $8,197 | $4,098 |
| 2013 | 5 | 3 | $5,713 | $1,904 |
| 2012 | 3 | 1 | $1,883 | $1,883 |
| 2011 | 42 | 27 | $285,730 | $10,583 |
| 2010 | 61 | 46 | $689,581 | $14,991 |
| 2009 | 13 | 8 | $58,294 | $7,287 |
| 2008 | 36 | 29 | $1,049,219 | $36,180 |
| 2007 | 23 | 22 | $311,900 | $14,177 |
| 2006 | 2 | 1 | $6,582 | $6,582 |
| 2005 | 138 | 118 | $4,147,411 | $35,148 |
| 2004 | 13 | 7 | $53,276 | $7,611 |
| 2003 | 6 | 4 | $50,381 | $12,595 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 | $563 | $563 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $89,579,402 | |
| Hurricane | $37,202,237 | |
| Cold wave | $9,910,253 | |
| Earthquake | $5,572,212 | |
| Tornado | $5,058,546 | |
| Strong wind | $4,371,988 | |
| Ice storm | $3,837,023 | |
| Heat wave | $3,495,507 | |
| Lightning | $1,810,445 | |
| Hail | $924,910 | |
| Drought | $703,636 | |
| Winter weather | $122,023 | |
| Wildfire | $116,469 | |
| Landslide | $108,835 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 53 mi | 58 mph |
| Henri | 2021 | 56 mi | 63 mph |
| Andrea | 2013 | 79 mi | 46 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 61 mi | 58 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 31 mi | 52 mph |
| Barry | 2007 | 59 mi | 40 mph |
| Hermine | 2004 | 78 mi | 40 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 17 mi | 58 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 15 mi | 69 mph |
| Bob | 1991 | 69 mi | 104 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 52 mi | 86 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 31 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 78 mi | 63 mph |
| Alma | 1966 | 77 mi | 46 mph |
| Esther | 1961 | 99 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 80 mi | 63 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 53 mi | 46 mph |
| Donna | 1960 | 51 mi | 92 mph |
| Cindy | 1959 | 76 mi | 58 mph |
| Carol | 1954 | 61 mi | 115 mph |
| Edna | 1954 | 94 mi | 109 mph |
| Able | 1952 | 50 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1944 | 53 mi | 104 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1938 | 86 mi | 115 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1934 | 85 mi | 46 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 01610 80
- 01453 61
- 01605 36
- 01420 35
- 01608 34
- 01523 34
- 01602 33
- 01510 30
- 01550 29
- 01534 25
- 01757 25
- 01603 22
- 01527 19
- 01501 19
- 01506 18
- 01604 18
- 01606 16
- 01524 15
- 01569 15
- 01545 13
- 01581 11
- 01566 10
- 01560 9
- 01519 8
- 01504 8
- 01607 7
- 01609 6
- 01515 6
- 01532 6
- 01473 6
- 01588 5
- 01505 5
- 01583 5
- 01571 5
- 01772 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Worcester County, MA?
NCEI records 255 hail events in Worcester County since 1950, in 50 different years; that is about 3.3 recorded events a year. 24 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Worcester County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 52 tornadoes in Worcester County since 1950, 14 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 92.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Worcester County?
15 May 2024: Severe Storms And Flooding, a major disaster declaration for flood. The county appears in 32 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Worcester County, and how much was paid?
765 NFIP claims since 1978, 556 of them paid, for $13M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Worcester County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively Moderate" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Worcester County compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
84.0 recorded events per 100 square miles against 210.6 statewide, and 0.9 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 5.1. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 29 Sep 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 30 Sep 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.