Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Shutesbury faces less hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shutesbury gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Shutesbury 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 Shutesbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shutesbury, and Shutesbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Shutesbury’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $310K a year in losses across Shutesbury: $224K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shutesbury flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shutesbury, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
Shutesbury 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 Shutesbury
Disasters that paid out in Shutesbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shutesbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$7K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$14K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$71K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$6K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$9K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs
- 2001Snow$7K to the Town of Shutesbury 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 Shutesbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shutesbury archive →Shutesbury and its neighbors
Shutesbury is 4th of the 4 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 |
| Pelham | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Shutesbury 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 Shutesbury
Is Shutesbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shutesbury has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) 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 Shutesbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Shutesbury since 1996, $17K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Shutesbury 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 Shutesbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shutesbury’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 Shutesbury?
By FEMA money that reached Shutesbury, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $71K to the Town of Shutesbury for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Shutesbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Shutesbury’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shutesbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shutesbury’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.