Photo: Iracaz · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in East Haven than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Haven gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #120 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1,347 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 stands out about East Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Haven 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
Coastal flooding
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 Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Haven, and East Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 11%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #120 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Haven’s residents live in 8 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 Haven has more expected damage per building than 77% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across East Haven: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Haven flood? Yes: 1,347 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Haven, from FEMA’s records: 111.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene230 claims · $13.4M
- Hurricane Sandy227 claims · $10.2M
East Haven 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 East Haven
Disasters that paid out in East Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$387K to the Town of East Haven for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Town of East Haven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Town of East Haven for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$508K to the Town of East Haven for repairs227 flood claims paid for it, $10.2M
- 2011Severe Storm$6K to the Town of East Haven for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$581K to the Town of East Haven for repairs230 flood claims paid for it, $13.4M
Show all 11
- 2011Snowstorm$40K to the Town of East Haven for repairs
- 2006Snow$44K to the Town of East Haven for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$45K to the Town of East Haven for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of East Haven for repairs
- 2003Snow$24K to the Town of East Haven for repairs
Old photos of East Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Haven archive →East Haven and its neighbors
East Haven is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Haven | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| New Haven | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 313 |
| Branford | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 588 |
| North Branford | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| East Haven | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1,347 |
| Northford | — | 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 East Haven 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Haven
Is East Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Haven has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #120 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,347 claims in East Haven since 1978, $34.8M in all, or 111.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 242 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (230).
Is East Haven 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, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Haven’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 Haven?
By FEMA money that reached East Haven, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): $581K to the Town of East Haven for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 230 paid, $13.4M.
Is East Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and East Haven’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Haven’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.