Photo: ToddC4176 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Monterey 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, Monterey gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Monterey 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 Monterey’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monterey, and Monterey’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Monterey’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $358K a year in losses across Monterey: $310K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monterey flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monterey, from FEMA’s records: 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $458K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $72K
Monterey 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monterey
Disasters that paid out in Monterey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Monterey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$12K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$111K to the Town of Monterey for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $458K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$60K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$43K to the Town of Monterey for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$164K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$12K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Monterey for repairs
- 2001Snow$7K to the Town of Monterey 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 Monterey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monterey archive →Monterey and its neighbors
Monterey has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Otis | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| New Marlborough | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Great Barrington | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Sandisfield | — | 994 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Tyringham | — | 494 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 Monterey 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 Monterey
Is Monterey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monterey has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) 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 Monterey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Monterey since 1984, $698K in all, or 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Monterey 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 Monterey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monterey’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 Monterey?
By FEMA money that reached Monterey, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $164K to the Town of Monterey for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $458K.
Is Monterey at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Monterey’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monterey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monterey’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.