Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Berkley than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkley gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #125 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1996.
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 Berkley 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
Hurricanes
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 Berkley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berkley, and Berkley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #125 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Berkley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Berkley has less expected damage per building than 56% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Berkley: $956K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berkley flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berkley, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $30K
Berkley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bristol County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berkley
Disasters that paid out in Berkley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Berkley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$38K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$44K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$13K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$10K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding102 households applied for aid$291K aid approved$19K to the Town of Berkley for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$839 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$47K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Berkley for repairs
Bristol County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Berkley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berkley archive →Berkley and its neighbors
Berkley is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Dighton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Berkley | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Freetown | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Taunton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
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 Berkley 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Berkley
Is Berkley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berkley has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #125 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berkley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Berkley since 1996, $60K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (3).
Is Berkley 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 Bristol County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Berkley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berkley’s 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 Berkley?
By FEMA money that reached Berkley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 102 households applied for aid, $291K approved, and $19K to the Town of Berkley for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $30K.
Is Berkley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Berkley’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berkley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berkley’s 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.