Natural Disaster Risk in Dukes County

Natural Hazard Profile: Dukes County, Massachusetts

Dukes County is located in the United States in Massachusetts, home to roughly 20,495 residents. The county experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall and warm summers, with nor'easter storms bringing heavy snow and coastal flooding shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Dukes County carries an overall risk score of 3.6/10, placing it in the low category. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. The area also faces notable exposure to hurricane and tsunami.

Dukes County's risk score, considerably below the 6.5/10 state average and below the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Dukes County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, hurricane, and tsunami. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Dukes County 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.