Natural Disaster Risk in Plymouth
Massachusetts
Risk Summary for Plymouth
Plymouth scores 6.9/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Plymouth is a city of 63,689 residents in Plymouth 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 Plymouth.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Plymouth carries an overall risk score of 6.9/10, placing it in the high 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 wind.
Plymouth'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 Plymouth County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, hurricane, and wind. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
Plymouth's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Plymouth: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
Local Factors for Plymouth
These city-level factors differentiate Plymouth from other communities in Plymouth County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
63,689
UrbanGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 41.9°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.0/10
Coordinates
41.8782° N, 70.6309° W
Plymouth County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Plymouth
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Plymouth
Other cities in Massachusetts
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.