Photo: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts North Adams’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Adams gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #279 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1980.
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 North Adams 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
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 North Adams’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Adams, and North Adams’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #279 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Adams’ 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, North Adams has more expected damage per building than 99% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across North Adams: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Adams flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Adams, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $110K
North Adams 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Adams
Disasters that paid out in North Adams itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Adams), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$33K to the City of North Adams for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the City of North Adams for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene34 households applied for aid$65K aid approved$383K to the City of North Adams for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $110K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the City of North Adams for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$3K to the City of North Adams for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$35K to the City of North Adams for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$42K to the City of North Adams for repairs
- 2003Snow$34K to the City of North Adams for repairs
- 2003Snow$27K to the City of North Adams for repairs
- 2001Snow$27K to the City of North Adams 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 North Adams after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Adams archive →North Adams and its neighbors
North Adams is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Williamstown | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Adams | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Adams | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 North Adams 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.
- 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 North Adams
Is North Adams at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Adams has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #279 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Adams flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in North Adams since 1980, $302K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (8).
Is North Adams 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 North Adams?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Adams’ 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 North Adams?
By FEMA money that reached North Adams, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 34 households applied for aid, $65K approved, and $383K to the City of North Adams for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 8 paid, $110K.
Is North Adams at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and North Adams’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Adams.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Adams’ 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.