riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Barnstable County Disaster Risk

Barnstable County, Massachusetts

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 14 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

95th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Barnstable County

Risk Verdict

Barnstable County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Barnstable County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 95th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (78th), wildfire (53th), tornado (46th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Barnstable County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Barnstable County is significantly riskier than the average county in Massachusetts. Its composite risk score is 10.3 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Barnstable County, MA?
Barnstable County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Barnstable County?
Barnstable County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (95th percentile), hurricane (95th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile), tornado (46th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 95th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Barnstable County risk compare to the Massachusetts average?
Barnstable County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the Massachusetts state average of 79th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Barnstable County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Massachusetts.
Is Barnstable County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Barnstable County's flooding risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Barnstable County higher risk than average?
Barnstable County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the Massachusetts state average of 79th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (95th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bristol County

Massachusetts

+0.8

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Plymouth County

Massachusetts

+1.3

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

Norfolk County

Massachusetts

+2.9

Relatively Moderate

92th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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