Richard IV Alsop House · Photo: Joseph C. Berlepsch · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Middletown than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #147 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 1979.
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 Middletown 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 Middletown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middletown, and Middletown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #147 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middletown’s residents live in 13 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, Middletown has more expected damage per building than 95% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.4M a year in losses across Middletown: $15.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middletown flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middletown, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $191K
- Hurricane Elsa2 claims · $45K
Middletown 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middletown
Disasters that paid out in Middletown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Middletown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$461K to the City of Middletown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$276K to the City of Middletown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy12 households applied for aid$188K to the City of Middletown for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$465K to the City of Middletown for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene60 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$296K to the City of Middletown for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $191K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$130K to the City of Middletown for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$71K to the City of Middletown for repairs
Old photos of Middletown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middletown archive →Middletown and its neighbors
Middletown is 9th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Hampton | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Middlefield | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Haddam | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Berlin | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Cromwell | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Meriden | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 182 |
| Portland | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Middletown | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Higganum | — | 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 Middletown 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 Middletown
Is Middletown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middletown has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #147 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middletown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Middletown since 1979, $1.4M in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Middletown 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 Middletown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middletown’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 Middletown?
By FEMA money that reached Middletown, Severe Storm (2011): $465K to the City of Middletown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $191K.
Is Middletown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Middletown’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middletown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middletown’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.