Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Norwich’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwich gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #130 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 208 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 Norwich’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norwich 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 Norwich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norwich, and Norwich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #130 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norwich’s residents live in 9 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, Norwich has more expected damage per building than 84% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.4M a year in losses across Norwich: $11.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norwich flood? Yes: 208 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norwich, 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.
- The March 2010 nor’easter23 claims · $932K
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $180K
Norwich is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norwich
Disasters that paid out in Norwich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Norwich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida77 households applied for aid$337K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $180K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$453K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$273K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$252K to the City of Norwich for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy23 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$782K to the City of Norwich for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene70 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2011Snowstorm$105K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding188 households applied for aid$324K aid approved$463K to the City of Norwich for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$81K to the City of Norwich for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$66K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2003Snow$42K to the City of Norwich for repairs
Old photos of Norwich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norwich archive →Norwich and its neighbors
Norwich is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Preston | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lisbon | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Montville | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Bozrah | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Norwich | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 208 |
| Sprague | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Baltic | — | 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 Norwich 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.
- Norwich residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Norwich
Is Norwich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwich has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #130 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norwich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 208 claims in Norwich since 1978, $2.9M in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (23).
Is Norwich 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 Norwich?
Norwich is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Norwich?
By FEMA money that reached Norwich, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 70 households applied for aid, $16K approved, and $1.1M to the City of Norwich for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 23 paid, $932K.
Is Norwich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Norwich’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norwich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norwich’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.