Natural Disaster Risk in Chilmark

Natural Hazard Profile: Chilmark, Massachusetts

Located along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard in Dukes County, Chilmark is a small community of about 2,244. The humid continental climate that characterizes this part of Massachusetts — marked by cold winters with heavy snowfall and warm summers — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Chilmark a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

FEMA rates Chilmark's composite natural disaster risk at 3.6 out of 10 — low risk. Coastal flooding is the dominant hazard, with storm surge from tropical systems and nor'easters capable of inundating low-lying shoreline areas well above normal tidal levels. Residents should also account for hurricane and tsunami risk in their preparedness planning.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Chilmark's natural disaster risk is below the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, considerably below the 6.5/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by coastal flood and hurricane, as measured by FEMA across Dukes County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

Chilmark carries a below-average natural disaster risk, reflecting fewer and less severe hazard exposures than typical U.S. communities. Even so, the area's primary risk — coastal flood — warrants awareness and appropriate insurance coverage, as lower risk does not mean zero risk.