Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Burlington faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #67 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1980.
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 Burlington 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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #67 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington’s residents live in 2 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, Burlington has less expected damage per building than 57% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Burlington: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Burlington 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington
Disasters that paid out in Burlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Burlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$202K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$128K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$290K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$45K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2006Snow$28K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$129K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$24K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd$5K to the Town of Burlington for repairs
Old photos of Burlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington archive →Burlington and its neighbors
Burlington is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harwinton | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Burlington | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Farmington | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Avon | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Canton | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Bristol | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| New Hartford | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Collinsville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #67 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Burlington since 1980, $24K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Burlington 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, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington’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 Burlington?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington, Severe Storm (2011): $290K to the Town of Burlington for repairs.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Burlington’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington’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.