Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Naugatuck’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Naugatuck gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #143 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1980.
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 Naugatuck 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 Naugatuck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Naugatuck, and Naugatuck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #143 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Naugatuck’s residents live in 5 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, Naugatuck has more expected damage per building than 92% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across Naugatuck: $9.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Naugatuck flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Naugatuck, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $14K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $3K
Naugatuck 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Naugatuck
Disasters that paid out in Naugatuck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Naugatuck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides142 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$1.5M to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida6 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$220K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$91K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$139K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$248K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs
Show all 13
- 2012Hurricane Sandy18 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$128K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$99K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene72 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$95K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $14K
- 2011Snowstorm$90K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$17K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$71K to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Old photos of Naugatuck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Naugatuck archive →Naugatuck and its neighbors
Naugatuck is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prospect | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bethany | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Middlebury | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Oxford | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Beacon Falls | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Waterbury | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Naugatuck | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Naugatuck 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 Naugatuck
Is Naugatuck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Naugatuck has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #143 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Naugatuck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Naugatuck since 1980, $659K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Naugatuck 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, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Naugatuck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Naugatuck’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 Naugatuck?
By FEMA money that reached Naugatuck, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 142 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $1.5M to the Borough of Naugatuck for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $14K.
Is Naugatuck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Naugatuck’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Naugatuck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Naugatuck’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.