Hampshire County Disaster Risk
Hampshire County, Massachusetts
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
70th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#11
of 14 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
79th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 36% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hampshire County, Massachusetts
Hampshire holds below-average national risk
Hampshire County's composite risk score of 69.88 sits noticeably below the national average, placing it in the relatively low risk category. While not immune to disaster hazards, Hampshire residents enjoy measurably lower exposure than Americans in higher-risk regions. The score reflects Hampshire's inland, western position and lower concentration of major hazard pathways.
Third-safest county in Massachusetts
Hampshire County ranks third among Massachusetts counties for safety with a 69.88 composite score, well below the state average of 78.84. Only Dukes (16.79) and Franklin (60.72) offer greater protection from disaster hazards. Hampshire's inland, rural-to-suburban character translates into meaningfully reduced risk.
Safer than coast; slightly riskier than Franklin
Hampshire's 69.88 score runs only modestly higher than Franklin County (60.72), yet dramatically lower than coastal Berkshire (84.00), Bristol (89.85), Barnstable (89.09), and Essex (95.58). This positioning reflects Hampshire's inland sanctuary from Atlantic hazards, though proximity to rivers and seismic zones create baseline exposures. The gap with coastal counties is substantial and meaningful.
Floods and hurricanes warrant attention
Hampshire residents face moderate-to-elevated risk from flooding (79.39) and hurricanes (83.81), both in the 79-84 range and representing the county's primary threats. Earthquake (70.10) and tornado (46.91) risks remain secondary, while wildfire (35.81) poses minimal concern. Rivers and residual Atlantic storm systems drive Hampshire's hazard exposure.
Focus on flood coverage and hurricane prep
Federal flood insurance should be your first priority given the 79.39 flood risk score, particularly if you're near rivers, streams, or mapped flood zones. Pairing flood coverage with standard homeowners insurance and enhanced hurricane/wind riders provides solid protection for Hampshire residents. Your relatively low composite risk means you can target your insurance and preparation efforts efficiently on these two primary threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hampshire County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hampshire County
Risk Verdict
Hampshire County's FEMA risk score places it at the 70th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Hampshire County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (70th percentile), tornado (47th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 84th percentile nationally, Hampshire County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Hampshire County's flood exposure at the 79th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Hampshire County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 9.0 points below the Massachusetts state average, Hampshire County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Hampshire County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hampshire County, MA?
What types of natural hazards affect Hampshire County?
How does Hampshire County risk compare to the Massachusetts average?
Is Hampshire County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Hampshire County a safe place to live?
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.