Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Southampton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southampton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #171 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Southampton 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 Southampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southampton, and Southampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #171 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Southampton’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, Southampton has more expected damage per building than 60% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Southampton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southampton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southampton, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $42K
Southampton 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southampton
Disasters that paid out in Southampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Southampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$40K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$181K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$22K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$51K to the Town of Southampton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$23K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$37K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Southampton 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 Southampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southampton archive →Southampton and its neighbors
Southampton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Holyoke | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Westhampton | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Easthampton | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Westfield | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Huntington | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Montgomery | — | 796 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 Southampton 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 Southampton
Is Southampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southampton has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #171 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Southampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Southampton since 1978, $57K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Southampton 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 Southampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southampton’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 Southampton?
By FEMA money that reached Southampton, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $181K to the Town of Southampton for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $42K.
Is Southampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Southampton’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southampton’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.