Richard Mansfield House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ansonia than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ansonia gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #105 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Ansonia 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 Ansonia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ansonia, and Ansonia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 17% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #105 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ansonia’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Connecticut town has higher expected damage than 62% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ansonia has more expected damage per building than 68% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Ansonia: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ansonia flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ansonia, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ansonia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ansonia
Disasters that paid out in Ansonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ansonia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy52 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene24 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Old photos of Ansonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ansonia archive →Ansonia and its neighbors
Ansonia is 3rd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbridge | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Seymour | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Ansonia | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Derby | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Ansonia 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 Ansonia
Is Ansonia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ansonia has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #105 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ansonia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ansonia since 2005, $4K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ansonia 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 the county, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ansonia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ansonia’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 Ansonia?
By FEMA money that reached Ansonia, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 52 households applied for aid, $9K approved.
Is Ansonia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Ansonia’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ansonia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ansonia’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.