Barnstable Town, Massachusetts: natural disaster risk
How exposed Barnstable Town is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Barnstable County.
Barnstable Town is a city of 49,568 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Barnstable County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, hurricane and coastal flooding, with about $82.3 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 266 storm reports in the county since 1957, including 8 tornadoes and 53 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 12 hurricanes and 16 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 1 of them major. About 5.4% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Barnstable County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Barnstable Town
Full Barnstable County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- Learn your evacuation zone; it is set by surge risk, not by distance from the beach.
- Ask about flood insurance even outside a mapped high-risk zone.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $44M | |
| Hurricane | $20M | |
| Coastal flooding | $12M | |
| Earthquake | $1M | |
| Tornado | $1M | |
| Lightning | $1M | |
| Strong wind | $789K | |
| Hail | $561K | |
| Cold wave | $450K | |
| Heat wave | $230K | |
| Ice storm | $76K | |
| Wildfire | $59K |
Homes in Barnstable Town
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Barnstable County
Other cities in Massachusetts
All ›Common questions about Barnstable Town
Is Barnstable Town safe from natural disasters?
Barnstable Town is in Barnstable County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, hurricane, coastal flooding. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Barnstable Town?
By expected yearly losses in Barnstable County, the top hazards are inland flooding (Moderate), hurricane (High), coastal flooding (Very High). Barnstable County has been part of 21 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Barnstable Town get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 8 tornadoes in Barnstable County since 1950; the strongest was an EF1 tornado on July 23, 2019 near Harwich. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county low.
Do I need flood insurance in Barnstable Town?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Barnstable County, about 5.4% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.