Photo: Daderot · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sheffield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheffield gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #232 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheffield, and Sheffield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #232 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sheffield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Massachusetts town has lower expected damage than 76% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sheffield has more expected damage per building than 82% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Sheffield: $870K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheffield flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheffield, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $2K
Sheffield 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 Sheffield
Disasters that paid out in Sheffield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sheffield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$12K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene7 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$38K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$7K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$11K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$17K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs
- 2001Snow$13K to the Town of Sheffield 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 Sheffield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheffield archive →Sheffield and its neighbors
Sheffield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Egremont | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Salisbury | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| New Marlborough | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mount Washington | — | 193 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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield
Is Sheffield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheffield has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #232 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Sheffield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Sheffield since 1979, $156K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Sheffield 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 Sheffield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheffield’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 Sheffield?
By FEMA money that reached Sheffield, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $38K to the Town of Sheffield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Sheffield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Sheffield’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheffield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheffield’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.