New Bedford, MA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
New Bedford is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Bristol County, MA. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, hurricane, and earthquake.
Storm events near New Bedford
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of New Bedford's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to New Bedford itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Bristol County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering New Bedford along with the rest of the county, not a New Bedford-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 38.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 93.6 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 66.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 88.6 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 87.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 52.1 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 67 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 7.2 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 91.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 83.2 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 46.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 75.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 86.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 43.5 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Bristol County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Bristol County:
More on Bristol County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is New Bedford, MA at risk of?
New Bedford is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Bristol County, where New Bedford is located, are inland flooding, hurricane, and earthquake.
What is New Bedford's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Bristol County, where New Bedford is located, scoring 93.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is New Bedford a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — New Bedford carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Bristol County.
Has New Bedford had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 35 hail, 110 inland flooding events within 25 miles of New Bedford since 2016.