Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pelham than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Pelham 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 Pelham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pelham, and Pelham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pelham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $281K a year in losses across Pelham: $241K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pelham flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pelham. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pelham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampshire County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pelham
Disasters that paid out in Pelham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pelham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$16K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$4K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$68K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$7K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2001Snow$3K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
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 Pelham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pelham archive →Pelham and its neighbors
Pelham is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Belchertown | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pelham | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| New Salem | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shutesbury | Bless damage than 64% | 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 Pelham 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 Pelham
Is Pelham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (16%). 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.
Is Pelham 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 Pelham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pelham’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 Pelham?
By FEMA money that reached Pelham, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $68K to the Town of Pelham for repairs.
Is Pelham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Pelham’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pelham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pelham’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.