Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ludlow faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludlow gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #223 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Ludlow 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 Ludlow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ludlow, and Ludlow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #223 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ludlow’s residents live in 4 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, Ludlow has more expected damage per building than 79% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Ludlow: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ludlow flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ludlow, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ludlow 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ludlow
Disasters that paid out in Ludlow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ludlow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$63K to the Town of Ludlow for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$2.1M to the Town of Ludlow for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$71K to the Town of Ludlow for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$23K to the Town of Ludlow for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$37K to the Town of Ludlow for repairs
- 2003Snow$33K to the Town of Ludlow for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$34K to the Town of Ludlow 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 Ludlow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ludlow archive →Ludlow and its neighbors
Ludlow is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granby | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Belchertown | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Chicopee | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wilbraham | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Springfield | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ludlow | Bless damage than 55% | 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 Ludlow 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 Ludlow
Is Ludlow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ludlow has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #223 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ludlow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Ludlow since 1984, $15K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ludlow 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 Ludlow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ludlow’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 Ludlow?
By FEMA money that reached Ludlow, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $2.1M to the Town of Ludlow for repairs.
Is Ludlow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Ludlow’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ludlow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ludlow’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.