Photo: Jsayre64 · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Deerfield than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deerfield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #188 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Deerfield 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 Deerfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deerfield, and Deerfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #188 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Deerfield’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, Deerfield has more expected damage per building than 66% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Deerfield: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deerfield flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Deerfield, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $90K
Deerfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Deerfield
Disasters that paid out in Deerfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Deerfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$22K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene22 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$53K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$21K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$7K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$96K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$10K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs
Franklin County has had 16 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 Deerfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deerfield archive →Deerfield and its neighbors
Deerfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deerfield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Montague | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Greenfield | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Conway | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sunderland | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Whately | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Shelburne | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| South Deerfield | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Deerfield 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 Deerfield
Is Deerfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deerfield has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #188 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Deerfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Deerfield since 1979, $150K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Deerfield 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Deerfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deerfield’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 Deerfield?
By FEMA money that reached Deerfield, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 22 households applied for aid, $89K approved, and $53K to the Town of Deerfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $90K.
Is Deerfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Deerfield’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deerfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deerfield’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.