Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Holland as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holland gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #222 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2005.
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 Holland 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 Holland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holland, and Holland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #222 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holland’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, Holland has more expected damage per building than 78% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $520K a year in losses across Holland: $452K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holland flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holland, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $9K
Holland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampden County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holland
Disasters that paid out in Holland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$14K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$863K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$10K to the Town of Holland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2011Severe Storms and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$7K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$29K to the Town of Holland for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$3K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$109K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Holland for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Holland for repairs
Hampden County has had 18 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 Holland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holland archive →Holland and its neighbors
Holland is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturbridge | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Brimfield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wales | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Holland | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Holland 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 Holland
Is Holland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holland has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #222 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (16%). 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 Holland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Holland since 2005, $19K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Holland 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 Hampden County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holland’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 Holland?
By FEMA money that reached Holland, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $863K to the Town of Holland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Holland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Holland’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holland’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.