Photo: ToddC4176 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Shelburne than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelburne gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Shelburne 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 Shelburne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelburne, and Shelburne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Shelburne’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $660K a year in losses across Shelburne: $558K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelburne flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelburne, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shelburne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelburne
Disasters that paid out in Shelburne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shelburne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$11K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$24K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$47K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$7K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$12K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2001Snow$4K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
Franklin County has had 16 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 Shelburne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelburne archive →Shelburne and its neighbors
Shelburne is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deerfield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Greenfield | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Conway | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Buckland | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Shelburne | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Charlemont | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Shelburne Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Shelburne 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 Shelburne
Is Shelburne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelburne has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (5%). 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 Shelburne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Shelburne since 2013, $16K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Shelburne 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Shelburne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelburne’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 Shelburne?
By FEMA money that reached Shelburne, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $47K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs.
Is Shelburne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Shelburne’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelburne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelburne’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.