Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Pittsfield faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #268 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 75 claims here since 1978.
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 Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittsfield, and Pittsfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #268 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pittsfield’s residents live in 11 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, Pittsfield has more expected damage per building than 95% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.3M a year in losses across Pittsfield: $14.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittsfield flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittsfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene14 claims · $223K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $7K
Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield
Disasters that paid out in Pittsfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pittsfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$116K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$73K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene116 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$33K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $223K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$102K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$5K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$23K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$128K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$76K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$80K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$67K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Pittsfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittsfield archive →Pittsfield and its neighbors
Pittsfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanesborough | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Dalton | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Hancock | — | 752 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Washington | — | 526 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 Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield
Is Pittsfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsfield has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #268 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pittsfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in Pittsfield since 1978, $725K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (14).
Is Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittsfield’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 Pittsfield?
By FEMA money that reached Pittsfield, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 116 households applied for aid, $104K approved, and $33K to the City of Pittsfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 14 paid, $223K.
Is Pittsfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Pittsfield’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittsfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittsfield’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.