Photo: Zinetv1 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts New Marlborough’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Marlborough gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 New Marlborough 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 New Marlborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Marlborough, and New Marlborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Marlborough’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $775K a year in losses across New Marlborough: $691K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Marlborough flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Marlborough, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $30K
New Marlborough 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 New Marlborough
Disasters that paid out in New Marlborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Marlborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$15K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene15 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$266K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $30K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$46K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$36K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$122K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs
- 2001Snow$6K to the Town of New Marlborough 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 New Marlborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Marlborough archive →New Marlborough and its neighbors
New Marlborough is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Monterey | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| New Marlborough | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sandisfield | — | 994 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 New Marlborough 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 New Marlborough
Is New Marlborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Marlborough has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 New Marlborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in New Marlborough since 1984, $53K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is New Marlborough 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 New Marlborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Marlborough’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 New Marlborough?
By FEMA money that reached New Marlborough, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 15 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $266K to the Town of New Marlborough for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $30K.
Is New Marlborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and New Marlborough’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Marlborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Marlborough’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.