Photo: Daderot · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Williamstown than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamstown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #267 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Williamstown 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 Williamstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williamstown, and Williamstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C #267 of 283 in Massachusetts; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williamstown’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, Williamstown has more expected damage per building than 94% of Massachusetts towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Williamstown: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williamstown flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williamstown, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $74K
Williamstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berkshire County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williamstown
Disasters that paid out in Williamstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Williamstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$23K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene239 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$85K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $74K
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$39K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$29K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$37K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$18K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
- 2003Snow$24K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
- 2001Snow$18K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs
Berkshire County has had 17 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 Williamstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williamstown archive →Williamstown and its neighbors
Williamstown is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Williamstown | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Adams | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Adams | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Williamstown 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 Williamstown
Is Williamstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamstown has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #267 of 283 in Massachusetts. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williamstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Williamstown since 1978, $153K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (8).
Is Williamstown 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 Berkshire County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Williamstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williamstown’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 Williamstown?
By FEMA money that reached Williamstown, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 239 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $85K to the Town of Williamstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 8 paid, $74K.
Is Williamstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Williamstown’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williamstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williamstown’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.