Photo: Andrew Bain · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Amherst faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amherst gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 stands out about Amherst’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Amherst 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 Amherst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amherst, and Amherst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Amherst’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $602K a year in losses across Amherst: $510K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Amherst flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amherst, from FEMA’s records: 31.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $10K
Amherst isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Amherst County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Amherst
Disasters that paid out in Amherst itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Amherst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$3K to the Town of Amherst for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the Town of Amherst for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$614 aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
Amherst County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Amherst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amherst archive →Get ready for what Amherst 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 Amherst
Is Amherst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amherst has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Amherst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Amherst since 1978, $132K in all, or 31.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Amherst 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 Amherst County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Amherst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amherst’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 Amherst?
By FEMA money that reached Amherst, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2009): $79K to the Town of Amherst for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Amherst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Amherst’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amherst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amherst’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.