Berkshire County Disaster Risk
Berkshire County, Massachusetts
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
84th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 14 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
91th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Berkshire moderately exceeds national risk
Berkshire County's composite risk score of 84.00 sits comfortably above the national average, placing it in the relatively moderate risk tier. While not among the nation's highest-risk counties, Berkshire residents face measurably greater disaster exposure than Americans in lower-risk areas. The score reflects a mix of flood, earthquake, and storm hazards concentrated in the county's terrain and position.
Middle-of-the-pack risk for Massachusetts
Berkshire County ranks fifth among Massachusetts' eight counties with a composite score of 84.00, sitting above the state average of 78.84. Only Essex, Hampden, Bristol, and Barnstable counties face higher composite risk. This mid-tier position reflects Berkshire's inland, western location—protecting it from the most intense coastal hazards.
Safer than coastal counties, riskier inland
Berkshire's 84.00 score runs notably lower than coastal neighbors like Bristol (89.85) and Barnstable (89.09), yet remains materially higher than Franklin County (60.72) and Hampshire County (69.88) to the east. Berkshire's westernmost position in Massachusetts means fewer tropical storm impacts but continued earthquake and flood exposure. Geography here works in your favor compared to the coastline.
Floods and earthquakes lead the list
Berkshire residents face the most serious threat from flooding (90.65) and earthquakes (72.14), with hurricane risk (83.60) representing a secondary but real concern. Wildfire (25.19) and tornado (48.82) risks remain notably lower than in other counties. Rivers, groundwater, and underground geology drive Berkshire's top hazards.
Prioritize flood and earthquake protection
Given flood and earthquake risks both above 70, securing flood insurance and reviewing your homeowners policy for earthquake coverage should be immediate priorities. If you're in a mapped flood zone or near rivers, elevation and waterproofing improvements pay dividends over time. Earthquake safety—from securing heavy furniture to reinforcing foundations—matters more here than in many other regions.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Berkshire County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Berkshire County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Berkshire County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 84th. Berkshire County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Berkshire County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (72th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 91th percentile nationally, Berkshire County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 84th percentile nationally, means Berkshire County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Berkshire County households.
Regional Context
A composite score 5.2 points above the Massachusetts state average puts Berkshire County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Berkshire County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Berkshire County, MA?
What types of natural hazards affect Berkshire County?
How does Berkshire County risk compare to the Massachusetts average?
Is Berkshire County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Berkshire County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.