Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Northampton than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northampton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #196 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 62 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Northampton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northampton 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 Northampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northampton, and Northampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #196 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northampton’s residents live in 8 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, Northampton has more expected damage per building than 69% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Northampton: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northampton flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northampton, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $248K
- Hurricane Floyd5 claims · $61K
- The December nor’easter4 claims · $42K
Northampton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hampshire County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northampton
Disasters that paid out in Northampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$85K to the City of Northampton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$206K to the City of Northampton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene1 households applied for aid$72K to the City of Northampton for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $248K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the City of Northampton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$85K to the City of Northampton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the City of Northampton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$63K to the City of Northampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$47K to the City of Northampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the City of Northampton for repairs
- 2001Snow$41K to the City of Northampton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Hampshire 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 Northampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northampton archive →Northampton and its neighbors
Northampton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Hadley | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Easthampton | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Hatfield | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Northampton 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.
- Northampton residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Northampton
Is Northampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northampton has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #196 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Northampton since 1979, $776K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Northampton 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 Hampshire County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Northampton?
Northampton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Northampton?
By FEMA money that reached Northampton, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $206K to the City of Northampton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $248K.
Is Northampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Northampton’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northampton’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.