Academy Historic District · Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wilbraham than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilbraham gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #208 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (16%). 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 Wilbraham 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 Wilbraham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilbraham, and Wilbraham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B #208 of 283 in Massachusetts; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilbraham’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, Wilbraham has more expected damage per building than 73% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Wilbraham: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilbraham flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilbraham, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wilbraham 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilbraham
Disasters that paid out in Wilbraham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wilbraham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$48K to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$2.9M to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Tornadoes217 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$2.3M to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$151K to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$62K to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$43K to the Town of Wilbraham 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 Wilbraham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilbraham archive →Wilbraham and its neighbors
Wilbraham has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Wilbraham 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 Wilbraham
Is Wilbraham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilbraham has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #208 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilbraham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Wilbraham since 1978, $41K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wilbraham 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 Wilbraham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilbraham’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 Wilbraham?
By FEMA money that reached Wilbraham, Severe Storm and Snowstorm (2011): $2.9M to the Town of Wilbraham for repairs.
Is Wilbraham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Wilbraham’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilbraham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilbraham’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.