Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainFEMA puts Adams’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #280 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Adams faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Adams’ grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Adams, and Adams’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #280 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Adams’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Adams has more expected damage per building than 99% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Adams: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Adams flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Adams, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene6 claims · $91K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $941
Adams isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berkshire County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Adams
Disasters that paid out in Adams itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Adams), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$27K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene70 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$63K to the Town of Adams for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $91K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$18K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$2K to the Town of Adams for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$12K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$30K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Adams for repairs
- 2001Snow$13K to the Town of Adams for repairs
Berkshire County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Adams after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Adams archive →Adams and its neighbors
Adams is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Adams | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Adams | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| New Ashford | — | 257 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Adams faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Adams
Is Adams at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Adams has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #280 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Adams flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Adams since 1979, $120K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (6).
Is Adams in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Berkshire County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Adams?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Adams’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Adams?
By FEMA money that reached Adams, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 70 households applied for aid, $164K approved, and $63K to the Town of Adams for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 6 paid, $91K.
Is Adams at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Adams’ rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Adams.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Adams’ residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.