Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Springfield Town than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Springfield Town gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #204 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 West Springfield Town 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 West Springfield Town’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Springfield Town, and West Springfield Town’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #204 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Springfield Town’s residents live in 6 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, West Springfield Town has more expected damage per building than 72% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across West Springfield Town: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Springfield Town flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Springfield Town, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $89K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $2K
West Springfield Town 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.The storms West Springfield Town remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Hampden County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Springfield Town itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19795 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19993 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19822 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 West Springfield Town after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Springfield Town archive →West Springfield Town and its neighbors
West Springfield Town is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicopee | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Holyoke | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| West Springfield Town | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Springfield | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Agawam Town | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| 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 West Springfield Town 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 West Springfield Town
Is West Springfield Town at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Springfield Town has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #204 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Springfield Town flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in West Springfield Town since 1978, $118K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (3).
Is West Springfield Town 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 West Springfield Town?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Springfield Town’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 Springfield Town?
By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 3 paid, $89K.
Is West Springfield Town at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and West Springfield Town’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Springfield Town.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Springfield Town’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.