Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in East Hampton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Hampton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #56 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 East Hampton 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 East Hampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Hampton, and East Hampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #56 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Hampton’s residents live in 3 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, East Hampton has less expected damage per building than 64% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across East Hampton: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Hampton flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Hampton, 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 Ida1 claim · $31K
East Hampton 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.East Hampton and its neighbors
East Hampton is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Haddam | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Colchester | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Marlborough | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Hampton | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Glastonbury | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Haddam | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Portland | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Middletown | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
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 East Hampton 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 East Hampton
Is East Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Hampton has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #56 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in East Hampton since 1978, $82K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is East Hampton 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, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Hampton’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 East Hampton?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $31K.
Is East Hampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and East Hampton’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Hampton’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.