Essex County north of Boston along the Atlantic coast faces hurricane and nor'easter risk with direct ocean exposure from Cape Ann and the North Shore. The county is within the 50-mile ingestion zone of Seabrook Nuclear Plant in New Hampshire. Salem Gloucester and Newburyport are historic coastal communities vulnerable to storm surge. The Merrimack River creates flooding risk through Lawrence and Haverhill. Lawrence has experienced serious flooding and tornado events.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
* We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 5 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Hurricane / Nor'easter |
| Secondary Hazard | Coastal Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 6 |
| Last Major Event | 2018 Nor'easter |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (978) 687-3900 |
| Emergency Shelters | 18 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-95 I-93 MA-128 US-1 |
// County Profile
| County | Essex County MA |
| State | Massachusetts (MA) |
| Population | 809 |
| Area | 495 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Massachusetts Counties
// Nearby Infrastructure Risks
Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.
Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.