Photo: Joe Mabel (on Flickr as Joe Mabel from Seattle, US) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Litchfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Litchfield gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), 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 Litchfield 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 Litchfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Litchfield, and Litchfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Litchfield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $475K a year in losses across Litchfield: $442K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Litchfield flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Litchfield. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Litchfield 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Litchfield
Disasters that paid out in Litchfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Litchfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Old photos of Litchfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Litchfield archive →Get ready for what Litchfield 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 Litchfield
Is Litchfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Litchfield has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Litchfield 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 Litchfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Litchfield’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 Litchfield?
By FEMA money that reached Litchfield, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 19 households applied for aid, $16K approved.
Is Litchfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Litchfield’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Litchfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Litchfield’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.