Nantucket, MA natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Nantucket comes from hurricanes, and overall the risk is very high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 472 claims here since 1978. 8 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Nantucket?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Nantucket to be higher than in 89% of U.S. communities, mostly from hurricanes and inland flooding.
What Nantucket faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Inland flooding
Coastal flooding
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Nantucket flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nantucket, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- The “Halloween” storm: 138 claims, $4.9M
- December Storm - Nor'easter: 74 claims, $1.7M
- Hurricane Sandy: 11 claims, $372K
Homes that flooded again and again
Each house = 2 homes. ■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (12) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
8 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Nantucket itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the Town of Nantucket.
Severe Winter Storm and Flooding
Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding
Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Earl
Record And/Or Near Record Snow
Snow
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Nantucket total about $22.9M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.