Enter any address in Berkshire County, Massachusetts to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Berkshire County, MA, with 108 flash flood events recorded in the last 30 years, alongside 45 flood events and 4 tropical storms. Recent flooding occurred in July 2023, impacting areas such as North Adams, Clarksburg, Becket, Sheffield, Washington, and Great Barrington due to 1.50 to 4.00 inches of rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $9,625 and an average water depth of 5.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also saw significant claims, averaging $11,049 with an average water depth of 3.0 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay particular attention to flood preparedness.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
56 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Berkshire County, Massachusetts has recorded 157 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 108 flash floods and 45 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1985–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Lee | Hurricane | Sep 15, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Severe Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Tropical Storm Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 11, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 1.50M |
| Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 30.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2023 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 30, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 18, 2023
An area of low pressure tracked up the East Coast and intensified in the process as it brought widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across western Massachusetts on December 18, 2023. The rain fell light to moderate in intensity during the early morning hours, then became heavier during the later morning and early afternoon hours before tapering off. Rainfall totals were between 2 and 4 inches....
Flash Flood — Jul 13, 2023
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms ahead and along a cold frontal boundary resulted in widespread downed trees and wires across western Massachusetts during the afternoon and evening hours of July 13, 2023.
Flood — Jul 10, 2023
A strong upper-level system brought widespread rounds of showers and thunderstorms to western Massachusetts on July 9-10, 2023. The steadiest and heaviest rainfall occurred during the early morning hours on July 10 which resulted in areas of flooding. Rainfall totals were generally in the 1.50 to 4.00 inch range.||Areas receiving flooding included the City of North Adams and the towns of Clarks...
Flash Flood — Jun 2, 2023
An upper-level disturbance brought numerous showers and thunderstorms to portions of Berkshire County on June 2, 2023. The overall northerly wind flow pattern combined with upslope assistance from the Green Mountains in southern Vermont produced training thunderstorms which repeatedly crossed the City of North Adams during the afternoon hours, resulting in accumulating hail up to dime size, dam...
Flash Flood — Jun 30, 2021
A couple of rounds of thunderstorms occurred during the afternoon and evening of the 30th across western New England. Scattered reports of wind damage occurred with the strongest storms. A microburst with winds estimated between 75 to 85 miles per hour was confirmed in Richmond, Massachusetts where seven roads were closed due to downed trees. There were also reports of flash flooding.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Berkshire County, Massachusetts:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Berkshire County, Massachusetts that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.