Photo: Brian Zbriger · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Leverett faces less hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leverett gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Leverett 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 Leverett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Leverett, and Leverett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Leverett’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $337K a year in losses across Leverett: $244K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Leverett flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Leverett, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
Leverett 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Leverett
Disasters that paid out in Leverett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Leverett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$11K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$25K to the Town of Leverett for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$14K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$25K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$9K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Leverett for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Leverett 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 Leverett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Leverett archive →Leverett and its neighbors
Leverett is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leverett | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sunderland | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Leverett 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 Leverett
Is Leverett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Leverett has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Leverett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Leverett since 1996, $17K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Leverett 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 Leverett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Leverett’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 Leverett?
By FEMA money that reached Leverett, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $45K to the Town of Leverett for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Leverett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Leverett’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Leverett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Leverett’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.