FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Middlesex County as relatively high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 14.578 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Middlesex County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 14.578 per year for lightning. 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 Middlesex County.
Lightning
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
98.6/100
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 Middlesex County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Lowell, FEMA rates lightning risk for Middlesex County as relatively high, with a relative score of 98.6/100. The next highest relative scores are hurricane at 97.4/100 and riverine flooding at 97.2/100.
Using FEMA data for Middlesex County, Lowell is tied #1 among 13 covered Massachusetts entries for lightning risk; 3 entries share that score. Lawrence is about 9.1 straight-line miles from the Lowell map point; its FEMA figures cover Essex County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Lowell? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Lowell. All FEMA figures on this page cover Middlesex County.
The FEMA figures cover Middlesex County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Middlesex County as relatively high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 14.578 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, Lowell is Tied #1 for relative lightning risk based on FEMA's score for Middlesex County. 3 covered cities share this rank because they use the same FEMA geography. Homes within Lowell can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Middlesex County, the highest relative ratings are Lightning (Relatively High), Hurricane (Relatively High), and Riverine Flooding (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Middlesex County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Middlesex County an overall relative risk rating of relatively high. 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 | Lightning rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, MA | 9 mi | Relatively High | 98.4 |
| Nashua, NH | 11 mi | Relatively High | 92.2 |
| Cambridge, MA | 21 mi | Relatively High | 98.6 |
| Lynn, MA | 21 mi | Relatively High | 98.4 |
| Newton, MA | 22 mi | Relatively High | 98.6 |
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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.