FEMA rates relative heat wave risk for Suffolk County as relatively high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.662 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Suffolk County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.662 per year for heat wave. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Suffolk County.
Heat Wave
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
96.1/100
Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Suffolk County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Boston, FEMA rates heat wave risk for Suffolk County as relatively high, with a relative score of 96.1/100. The next highest relative scores are riverine flooding at 95.9/100 and hurricane at 95.0/100.
Using FEMA data for Suffolk County, Boston is #1 among 13 covered Massachusetts entries for heat wave risk. Cambridge is about 4.3 straight-line miles from the Boston map point; its FEMA figures cover Middlesex County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Boston? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Boston. All FEMA figures on this page cover Suffolk County.
The FEMA figures cover Suffolk County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative heat wave risk for Suffolk County as relatively high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 0.662 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 13 Massachusetts cities covered by this directory, Boston is #1 for relative heat wave risk based on FEMA's score for Suffolk County. Homes within Boston can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Suffolk County, the highest relative ratings are Heat Wave (Relatively High), Riverine Flooding (Relatively High), and Hurricane (Relatively Moderate). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Suffolk County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Suffolk County an overall relative risk rating of relatively moderate. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Heat Wave rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA | 4 mi | Relatively Moderate | 88.5 |
| Quincy, MA | 6 mi | Relatively Low | 55.8 |
| Newton, MA | 6 mi | Relatively Moderate | 88.5 |
| Lynn, MA | 13 mi | Relatively Moderate | 92.8 |
| Brockton, MA | 17 mi | Relatively Low | 49.6 |
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View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.