Natural Disaster Risk in Medford

Natural Hazard Profile: Medford, Massachusetts

Medford is a city of 61,730 residents in Middlesex County, along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard. The area experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall and warm summers, with nor'easter storms bringing heavy snow and coastal flooding shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Medford.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Medford carries an overall risk score of 7.9/10, placing it in the high category. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. The area also faces notable exposure to earthquake and hurricane.

Medford's risk score, slightly above the 6.5/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Middlesex County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, earthquake, and hurricane. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Medford residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.