Photo: Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cornwall than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cornwall gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims 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 Cornwall 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 Cornwall’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cornwall, and Cornwall’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cornwall’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Cornwall: $964K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cornwall flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cornwall, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $47K
Cornwall 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.Cornwall and its neighbors
Cornwall is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goshen | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Warren | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sharon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Canaan | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cornwall | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| West Cornwall | — | 70 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Cornwall Bridge | — | 248 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Cornwall 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 Cornwall
Is Cornwall at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cornwall has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (8%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cornwall flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Cornwall since 2005, $49K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Cornwall 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 Cornwall?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cornwall’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 Cornwall?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $47K.
Is Cornwall at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Cornwall’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cornwall.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cornwall’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.