Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Danielson than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danielson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #141 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Danielson 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 Danielson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Danielson, and Danielson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #141 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Danielson’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, Danielson has more expected damage per building than 91% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Danielson: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Danielson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Danielson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Danielson 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 Danielson
Disasters that paid out in Danielson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Danielson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene45 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Old photos of Danielson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Danielson archive →Danielson and its neighbors
Danielson is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Killingly | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Danielson | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| East Brooklyn | — | 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 Danielson 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 Danielson
Is Danielson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danielson has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #141 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Danielson 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, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Danielson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Danielson’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 Danielson?
By FEMA money that reached Danielson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 33 households applied for aid, $44K approved.
Is Danielson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Danielson’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Danielson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Danielson’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.