Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Monson as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monson gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #238 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (15%). 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 Monson 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 Monson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monson, and Monson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #238 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monson’s residents live in 3 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, Monson has more expected damage per building than 84% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Monson: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monson flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monson, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Monson 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monson
Disasters that paid out in Monson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Monson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$44K to the Town of Monson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$1.9M to the Town of Monson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Tornadoes397 households applied for aid$187K aid approved$3.7M to the Town of Monson for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of Monson for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$180K to the Town of Monson for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$31K to the Town of Monson for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Monson for repairs
- 2003Snow$27K to the Town of Monson 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 Monson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monson archive →Monson and its neighbors
Monson is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brimfield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wales | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Monson | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Palmer Town | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hampden | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Stafford | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Monson 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 Monson
Is Monson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monson has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #238 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Monson since 2005, $222K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Monson 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 Monson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monson’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 Monson?
By FEMA money that reached Monson, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2011): 397 households applied for aid, $187K approved, and $3.7M to the Town of Monson for repairs.
Is Monson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Monson’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monson’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.