Photo: Apw250 · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dalton than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dalton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #268 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1980.
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 Dalton 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 Dalton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dalton, and Dalton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #268 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dalton’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, Dalton has more expected damage per building than 95% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Dalton: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dalton flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dalton, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
Dalton 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 Dalton
Disasters that paid out in Dalton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dalton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$11K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$19K to the Town of Dalton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$10K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$18K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Dalton for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Dalton 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 Dalton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dalton archive →Dalton and its neighbors
Dalton is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinsdale | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Dalton | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Cheshire | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Windsor | — | not graded yet | |
| Washington | — | 526 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 Dalton 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 Dalton
Is Dalton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dalton has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #268 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) 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 Dalton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Dalton since 1980, $47K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Dalton 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 Dalton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dalton’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 Dalton?
By FEMA money that reached Dalton, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 19 households applied for aid, $28K approved, and $19K to the Town of Dalton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Dalton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Dalton’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dalton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dalton’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.