Photo: Richard B. Johnson · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in West Brookfield than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Brookfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #263 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1987.
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 West Brookfield 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 West Brookfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Brookfield, and West Brookfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #263 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Brookfield’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, West Brookfield has more expected damage per building than 93% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across West Brookfield: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Brookfield flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Brookfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
West Brookfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Worcester County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Brookfield
Disasters that paid out in West Brookfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Brookfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$23K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$27K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$20K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$13K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs
Worcester County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Brookfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Brookfield archive →West Brookfield and its neighbors
West Brookfield is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braintree | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Warren | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ware | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| North Brookfield | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brookfield | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| West Brookfield | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 West Brookfield 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 West Brookfield
Is West Brookfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Brookfield has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #263 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (13%). 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 West Brookfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Brookfield since 1987, $5K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is West Brookfield 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 Worcester County, 65% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Brookfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Brookfield’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 West Brookfield?
By FEMA money that reached West Brookfield, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $42K to the Town of West Brookfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $1K.
Is West Brookfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and West Brookfield’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Brookfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Brookfield’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.