Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Southwick as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southwick gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #249 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Southwick 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 Southwick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southwick, and Southwick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #249 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southwick’s residents live in 2 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, Southwick has more expected damage per building than 88% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Southwick: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southwick flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southwick, 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.
Southwick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hampden County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southwick
Disasters that paid out in Southwick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Southwick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$49K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$1.4M to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$13K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$22K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$58K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2003Snow$33K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
- 2003Snow$24K to the Town of Southwick for repairs
Hampden County has had 18 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 Southwick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southwick archive →Southwick and its neighbors
Southwick 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwick | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Granby | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Agawam Town | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Granville | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Suffield | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Westfield | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Southwick 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 Southwick
Is Southwick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southwick has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #249 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southwick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Southwick since 1979, $31K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Southwick 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 Hampden County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southwick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southwick’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 Southwick?
By FEMA money that reached Southwick, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $1.4M to the Town of Southwick for repairs.
Is Southwick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Southwick’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southwick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southwick’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.