Woodbridge Street Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Hadley than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Hadley gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #165 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1984.
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 South Hadley 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 South Hadley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Hadley, and South Hadley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #165 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Hadley’s residents live in 4 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, South Hadley has more expected damage per building than 58% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across South Hadley: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Hadley flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Hadley, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $796
South Hadley 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Hadley
Disasters that paid out in South Hadley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of South Hadley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$49K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$375K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$7K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$54K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$41K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$28K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs
- 2001Snow$22K to the Town of South Hadley 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 South Hadley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Hadley archive →South Hadley and its neighbors
South Hadley is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Granby | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chicopee | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| South Hadley | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Holyoke | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Hadley | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 South Hadley 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 South Hadley
Is South Hadley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Hadley has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #165 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Hadley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in South Hadley since 1984, $125K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is South Hadley 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 South Hadley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Hadley’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 South Hadley?
By FEMA money that reached South Hadley, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $375K to the Town of South Hadley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $4K.
Is South Hadley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and South Hadley’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Hadley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Hadley’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.