Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Cheshire faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cheshire gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #274 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Cheshire 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 Cheshire’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cheshire, and Cheshire’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #274 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cheshire’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, Cheshire has more expected damage per building than 97% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Cheshire: $971K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cheshire flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cheshire, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
Cheshire 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cheshire
Disasters that paid out in Cheshire itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cheshire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$10K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene6 households applied for aid$680 aid approved$26K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$48K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$69K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Cheshire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cheshire archive →Cheshire and its neighbors
Cheshire 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanesborough | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Dalton | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Cheshire | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| New Ashford | — | 257 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Windsor | — | not graded yet | |
| Savoy | — | 795 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 Cheshire 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 Cheshire
Is Cheshire at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cheshire has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #274 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Cheshire flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Cheshire since 1979, $50K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Cheshire 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 Cheshire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cheshire’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 Cheshire?
By FEMA money that reached Cheshire, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 4 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $69K to the Town of Cheshire for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Cheshire at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Cheshire’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cheshire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cheshire’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.