Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Springfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #211 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Springfield 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
Earthquakes
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 Springfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield, and Springfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #211 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield’s residents live in 37 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, Springfield has more expected damage per building than 74% of Massachusetts towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Springfield has lower expected damage per building than 73% (#110 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $27.8M, is the 363th largest of those 400.
Does Springfield flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Springfield 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springfield
Disasters that paid out in Springfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Springfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Tornadoes2,952 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding80 households applied for aid$129K aid approved
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 Springfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield archive →Springfield and its neighbors
Springfield is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicopee | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Springfield Town | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Springfield | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East Longmeadow | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ludlow | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Longmeadow | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Agawam Town | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Springfield 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Springfield
Is Springfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #211 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Springfield since 1979, $7K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Springfield 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 Springfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield’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 Springfield?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2011): 2,952 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved.
Is Springfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Springfield’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield’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.