Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Easthampton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Easthampton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #215 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1984.
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 Easthampton 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 Easthampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Easthampton, and Easthampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #215 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Easthampton’s 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, Easthampton has more expected damage per building than 76% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Easthampton: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Easthampton flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Easthampton, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene6 claims · $192K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Easthampton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampshire County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Easthampton
Disasters that paid out in Easthampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Easthampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$63K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$151K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$20K to the City of Easthampton for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $192K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$2K to the City of Easthampton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$629 aid approved
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$50K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$22K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$34K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
- 2001Snow$24K to the City of Easthampton for repairs
Hampshire 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 Easthampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Easthampton archive →Easthampton and its neighbors
Easthampton is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Holyoke | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Northampton | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Hadley | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Easthampton | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Easthampton 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 Easthampton
Is Easthampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Easthampton has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #215 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Easthampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Easthampton since 1984, $551K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (6).
Is Easthampton 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 Hampshire County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Easthampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Easthampton’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 Easthampton?
By FEMA money that reached Easthampton, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $151K to the City of Easthampton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 6 paid, $192K.
Is Easthampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Easthampton’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Easthampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Easthampton’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.