Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hatfield than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hatfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #258 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Hatfield 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 Hatfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hatfield, and Hatfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #258 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hatfield’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, Hatfield has more expected damage per building than 91% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Hatfield: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hatfield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hatfield, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $3K
Hatfield 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hatfield
Disasters that paid out in Hatfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hatfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$19K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$11K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$10K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Hatfield 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 Hatfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hatfield archive →Hatfield and its neighbors
Hatfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Hadley | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Hatfield | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Whately | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Williamsburg | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Hatfield 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 Hatfield
Is Hatfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hatfield has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #258 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 Hatfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hatfield since 1984, $26K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Hatfield 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 Hatfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hatfield’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 Hatfield?
By FEMA money that reached Hatfield, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $43K to the Town of Hatfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Hatfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Hatfield’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hatfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hatfield’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.