Photo: makemake · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Milford’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #111 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 2,701 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 Milford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Milford 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 Milford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milford, and Milford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #111 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milford’s residents live in 12 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, Milford has more expected damage per building than 71% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.7M a year in losses across Milford: $17.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milford flood? Yes: 2,701 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milford, from FEMA’s records: 112.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy882 claims · $40.6M
- Hurricane Irene601 claims · $21.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter458 claims · $9.4M
Milford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milford
Disasters that paid out in Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida24 households applied for aid$78K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$602K to the City of Milford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$115K to the City of Milford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$230K to the City of Milford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,049 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Milford for repairs882 flood claims paid for it, $40.6M
Show all 14
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene617 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Milford for repairs601 flood claims paid for it, $21.3M
- 2011Snowstorm$62K to the City of Milford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$13K aid approved42 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$9K aid approved22 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$69K to the City of Milford for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$60K to the City of Milford for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$64K to the City of Milford for repairs
- 2003Snow$57K to the City of Milford for repairs
Old photos of Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milford archive →Milford and its neighbors
Milford is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodmont | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Haven | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 392 |
| Orange | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 129 |
| Shelton | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Stratford | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 628 |
| Milford | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2,701 |
| Oronoque | — | 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 Milford 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.
- Milford residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Milford
Is Milford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #111 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,701 claims in Milford since 1978, $76.4M in all, or 112.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 490 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (882).
Is Milford 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.
How much is flood insurance in Milford?
Milford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Milford?
By FEMA money that reached Milford, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,049 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved, and $1.6M to the City of Milford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 882 paid, $40.6M.
Is Milford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Milford’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milford’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.