Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, New London faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New London gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #40 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 139 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 New London’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New London 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 New London’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in New London, and New London’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #40 of 155 in Connecticut; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New London’s residents live in 7 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, New London has less expected damage per building than 75% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across New London: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New London flood? Yes: 139 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New London, from FEMA’s records: 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy35 claims · $1.4M
- The March 2010 nor’easter19 claims · $346K
New London 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New London
Disasters that paid out in New London itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New London), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida30 households applied for aid$11K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy174 households applied for aid$83K aid approved35 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene48 households applied for aid$11K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding165 households applied for aid$111K aid approved19 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$794 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Old photos of New London after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New London archive →New London and its neighbors
New London is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groton | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Groton | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 105 |
| New London | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 139 |
| Waterford | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Conning Towers-Nautilus Park | — | 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 New London 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 New London
Is New London at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New London has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #40 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New London flood?
Flood insurance has paid 139 claims in New London since 1978, $2.4M in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (35).
Is New London 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, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New London?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New London’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 New London?
By FEMA money that reached New London, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): 165 households applied for aid, $111K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 35 paid, $1.4M.
Is New London at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and New London’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New London.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New London’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.