Photo: ToddC4176 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Lanesborough as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lanesborough gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #236 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1978.
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 Lanesborough 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 Lanesborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lanesborough, and Lanesborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #236 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lanesborough’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, Lanesborough has more expected damage per building than 83% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Lanesborough: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lanesborough flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lanesborough, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $79K
Lanesborough 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 Lanesborough
Disasters that paid out in Lanesborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lanesborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$14K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$23K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $79K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$83K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$11K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Lanesborough 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 Lanesborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lanesborough archive →Lanesborough and its neighbors
Lanesborough has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanesborough | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Cheshire | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Hancock | — | 752 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| New Ashford | — | 257 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 Lanesborough 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 Lanesborough
Is Lanesborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lanesborough has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #236 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 Lanesborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Lanesborough since 1978, $86K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Lanesborough 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 Lanesborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lanesborough’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 Lanesborough?
By FEMA money that reached Lanesborough, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $83K to the Town of Lanesborough for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $79K.
Is Lanesborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Lanesborough’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lanesborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lanesborough’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.