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Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Berkshire County, Massachusetts, has 1,067 weather events in the NCEI Storm Events record since 1950, most of them damaging wind.
That is 115.1 events per 100 square miles, below the Massachusetts figure of 210.6, and 82.9 per 10,000 residents against 23.5 statewide.
22 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 11 deaths and 72 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $34M and crop damage at $222K.
FEMA has designated the county in 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Hurricane Lee (emergency, 15 Sep 2023).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 388 claims since 1978, of which 261 were paid, totalling $3.1M (about $12K per paid claim). FEMA counts 414 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Low" ($52M a year across 18 hazards).
39 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 1 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Massachusetts and the United States
| Measure | Berkshire County | Massachusetts | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 1,067 | 16,427 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 115.1 | 210.6 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 82.9 | 23.5 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 22 | 307 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 11 | 160 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $34M | $1.2B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 3.0 | 5.1 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $12K | $16K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 3.9 | 9.2 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 640 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 354 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Aug 1973 | Tornado | Tornado | F4 | $25M | — | 4 | 36 | County |
| 29 May 1995 | Tornado | Tornado | F4 | $250 | — | 3 | 24 | County |
| 7 Oct 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 52 mph | — | $1K | 1 | — | County |
| 15 Jul 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 92 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 26 Jul 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 12 Jul 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 21 Aug 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 69 mph | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 3 Jul 1997 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 22 Jun 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | $8K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 9 Jul 1997 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $4K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 15 Jul 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 20 Aug 2004 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 27 Jul 2008 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 8 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 8 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 3 Jul 1997 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $1.5M | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Jul 1997 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $1.5M | — | — | — | County |
| 10 Jul 2023 | Flood | Flood | — | $1.5M | — | — | — | County |
| 31 Mar 1997 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Jul 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 69 mph | $300K | $200K | — | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2023 | EM-3599 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Lee | Public assistance |
| 27 Mar 2020 | DR-4496 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3438 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 19 Apr 2013 | DR-4110 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3350 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 6 Jan 2012 | DR-4051 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 1 Nov 2011 | EM-3343 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Public assistance |
| 3 Sep 2011 | DR-4028 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Aug 2011 | EM-3330 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 7 Mar 2011 | DR-1959 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 5 Jan 2009 | DR-1813 | Major disaster | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 13 Dec 2008 | EM-3296 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 16 May 2007 | DR-1701 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Public assistance |
| 10 Nov 2005 | DR-1614 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2005 | EM-3252 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 17 Feb 2005 | EM-3201 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Record And/Or Near Record Snow | Public assistance |
| 15 Jan 2004 | EM-3191 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 11 Mar 2003 | EM-3175 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 28 Mar 2001 | EM-3165 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 24 Jan 1996 | DR-1090 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 | Public assistance |
| 16 Mar 1993 | EM-3103 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Blizzards, High Winds & Record Snowfall | Public assistance |
| 18 Apr 1987 | DR-790 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 1985 | DR-751 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria | Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | $10,438 | $10,438 |
| 2021 | 9 | 5 | $64,560 | $12,912 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | $3,875 | $3,875 |
| 2018 | 3 | 2 | $6,625 | $3,313 |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2014 | 9 | 4 | $61,787 | $15,447 |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | $45,416 | $11,354 |
| 2011 | 100 | 75 | $1,381,945 | $18,426 |
| 2010 | 1 | 1 | $6,600 | $6,600 |
| 2009 | 20 | 16 | $126,254 | $7,891 |
| 2008 | 6 | 4 | $54,769 | $13,692 |
| 2007 | 7 | 5 | $91,259 | $18,252 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2005 | 57 | 46 | $839,000 | $18,239 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | 2 | $20,397 | $10,199 |
| 2001 | 5 | 2 | $10,776 | $5,388 |
| 2000 | 7 | 6 | $11,535 | $1,923 |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 1996 | 9 | 3 | $9,626 | $3,209 |
| 1995 | 3 | 1 | $1,013 | $1,013 |
| 1994 | 4 | 1 | $13,359 | $13,359 |
| 1993 | 5 | 2 | $12,415 | $6,208 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $41,411,967 | |
| Hurricane | $3,194,835 | |
| Cold wave | $2,398,945 | |
| Strong wind | $1,289,977 | |
| Tornado | $1,186,591 | |
| Earthquake | $920,874 | |
| Lightning | $469,119 | |
| Ice storm | $293,093 | |
| Hail | $291,380 | |
| Heat wave | $176,567 | |
| Winter weather | $86,014 | |
| Landslide | $22,473 | |
| Wildfire | $10,739 | |
| Drought | $6,682 | |
| Avalanche | $2,842 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henri | 2021 | 87 mi | 46 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 11 mi | 58 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 84 mi | 52 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 60 mi | 58 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 70 mi | 69 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 39 mi | 86 mph |
| David | 1979 | 69 mi | 46 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 45 mi | 69 mph |
| Agnes | 1972 | 81 mi | 52 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 85 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 61 mi | 63 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 79 mi | 63 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 97 mi | 46 mph |
| Donna | 1960 | 85 mi | 92 mph |
| Carol | 1954 | 97 mi | 115 mph |
| Able | 1952 | 20 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1938 | 71 mi | 115 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1934 | 58 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1929 | 72 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1924 | 14 mi | 63 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1915 | 54 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1908 | 87 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1902 | 94 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1899 | 37 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1897 | 91 mi | 52 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 01201 124
- 01230 45
- 01267 25
- 01245 24
- 01220 21
- 01247 20
- 01262 17
- 01266 13
- 01238 12
- 01226 11
- 01240 10
- 01225 10
- 01236 10
- 01257 6
- 01223 5
- 01253 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Berkshire County, MA?
NCEI records 177 hail events in Berkshire County since 1950, in 38 different years; that is about 2.3 recorded events a year. 15 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Berkshire County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 19 tornadoes in Berkshire County since 1950, 8 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 7.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Berkshire County?
15 Sep 2023: Hurricane Lee, a emergency declaration for hurricane. The county appears in 23 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Berkshire County, and how much was paid?
388 NFIP claims since 1978, 261 of them paid, for $3.1M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Berkshire County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively Low" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Moderate" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Berkshire County compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
115.1 recorded events per 100 square miles against 210.6 statewide, and 3.0 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 5.1. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.