Water Damage Restoration in Boston, MA

First Steps for Water in a Home in Boston

• Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
• Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
• Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.

How Often Boston Floods

The 5 Massachusetts counties of the Boston metro area logged flooding on 115 days from 2016 to 2025 (449 NOAA reports), July most often.

At the Boston Logan International Airport gauge, December is the wettest month with 4.3 inches on average.

Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 5 report days.

Freezing Nights in Boston

Boston averages 92 nights a year at or below 32°F (Boston Logan International Airport station). About 29 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 51 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 5 Massachusetts counties of the Boston metro area from 2016 to 2025.

Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).

Storms and Disasters in Boston

The 5 Massachusetts counties of the Boston metro area were named in 4 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).

Notable NOAA storm reports

• August 18, 2023: Tornado, EF1 (Norfolk County)A tornado touched down in Weymouth near the intersection of Pleasant and Torrey Streets. Numerous trees were uprooted and snapped.
• June 28, 2020: Hail, 2 inch hail (Norfolk County)The public, supported by videos, reported hen egg size (2 inch diameter) hail, which was preceded by a 15-minute period of pea size hail.
• May 15, 2020: Thunderstorm wind, 100 mph gust (Middlesex County)A microburst with estimated winds of 90-100 mph produced significant damage to trees and homes in a small part of Pepperell. Several large trees were uprooted near Brookline Street and Cheyenne Road, some onto houses.
• September 20, 2017: Tropical storm (Plymouth County)Numerous reports of trees down. A tree was down on Old Elm Street, another on Virginia Drive, and a third on Spring Street at Elm Street in Pembroke.
• August 22, 2016: Tornado, EF1 (Middlesex County)A tornado developed within an area of showers and thunderstorms moving through southern New England. This tornado touched down near the Cambridge Turnpike and headed northeast.

Federal disaster declarations

• September 15, 2023: Hurricane LeeHurricane, FEMA EM-3599
• April 18, 2022: Severe Winter Storm And SnowstormSnowstorm, FEMA DR-4651
• July 19, 2018: Severe Winter Storm And SnowstormSnowstorm, FEMA DR-4379
• June 25, 2018: Severe Winter Storm And FloodingSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4372

Boston Housing at a Glance

Census figures for the city of Boston (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 310,625 housing units, a median build year of 1947, 72% built before 1980, 65% before 1970, 36% owner occupied.

Massachusetts Insurance Rules for Water Claims

Massachusetts lists failing to acknowledge and act reasonably promptly on claim communications as an unfair claim settlement practice (M.G.L. c.176D, s.3).

Claim problems in Massachusetts go to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.

Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Boston flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.

Restoration Cost Guide for Boston

Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.

Areas Served Around Boston

The same 24/7 line covers the Boston metro area, including:

• Boston
• Cambridge
• Lowell
• Brockton
• Lynn
• Quincy
• Newton
• Lawrence
• Somerville
• Framingham
• Haverhill
• Malden

Other Massachusetts city guides

• Springfield water damage restoration
• New Bedford water damage restoration
• Worcester water damage restoration

Water damage restoration in all cities

Questions

When is the first freeze in Boston?

The median first night at or below 32°F is November 9 and the median last is April 4 at the Boston Logan International Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).

How fast does mold start?

Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).