Flood Information
Know Your Flood Hazard
Did you know that the City of Watertown makes available (for free!) information which may be of use in determining a property's susceptibility to flooding? Upon request, the City will provide information such as:
- Whether or not a property is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City.
- Whether or not a property is located within a regulatory floodway, a repetitive loss area, or other areas that have historically experience flooding but are not located within an area mapped as a SFHA on the FIRM.
- Additional flood map information for sites in the SFHA, such as FIRM panel number, flood zone, base flood elevation, or depth (if shown on the FIRM or detailed in a Flood Insurance Study).
To request information, please contact the Division of Planning & Zoning at planning@watertown-ma.gov or 617-972-6417. Please include the street address of the property in question at the time of your inquiry.
Flood Insurance
Most homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage, so flood insurance is critical to protect against the financial loss that can result from a flood. Flood insurance is required for properties in the SFHA financed by federally backed mortgages, but it is also important for properties outside of mapped flood hazard areas, as nearly one-third of NFIP insurance claims come from outside the SFHA.
As a participating community, Watertown property owners and residents can obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). To purchase flood insurance, contact your insurance agent or visit Floodsmart.gov for more information.
Build Responsibly
Always check with the Inspectional Services Division and the Division of Planning & Zoning before you build on, alter, regrade or fill your property. Permits are required for development in the floodplain, and there are specific requirements in Massachusetts State Building Code and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act that aim to mitigate the risk of flood damage as well as injury or loss of life.
Protect Natural Floodplain Functions
Streams, wetlands, channels and catch basins are essential to preventing a flood. Do not dump or throw anything into streams, channels or catch basins that drain or carry stormwater. Dumping any material in a waterway or catch basin is illegal and may be a violation of the City of Watertown's Watertown Wetlands Ordinance. Any alteration of areas within 150' feet of a stream or wetland may require permitting with the Watertown Conservation Commission.
Elevation Certificates
Elevation Certificates (ECs) are documents that provide elevation information for individual structures to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal floodplain management requirements.
Additional resources
FEMA Resources
There are many helpful resources available for free from FEMA to help understand and prevent losses to property.