Stevenson Dam Hydroelectric Plant · Photo: Rootology · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Oxford as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxford gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #53 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 99 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 Oxford 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 Oxford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oxford, and Oxford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #53 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oxford’s residents live in 2 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, Oxford has less expected damage per building than 66% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Oxford: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oxford flood? Sometimes: 99 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oxford, from FEMA’s records: 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $81K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $13K
Oxford 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 Oxford
Disasters that paid out in Oxford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oxford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$5.0M to the Town of Oxford for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$245K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$646K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$110K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$141K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Severe Storm$166K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$197K to the Town of Oxford for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $81K
- 2011Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2006Snow$31K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$31K to the Town of Oxford for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$35K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of Oxford for repairs
Old photos of Oxford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oxford archive →Oxford and its neighbors
Oxford is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Middlebury | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Newtown | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Oxford | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Seymour | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Southbury | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Shelton | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Beacon Falls | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Naugatuck | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| East Village | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Sandy Hook | — | 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 Oxford 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 Oxford
Is Oxford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oxford has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #53 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oxford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 99 claims in Oxford since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (8).
Is Oxford 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 Oxford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oxford’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 Oxford?
By FEMA money that reached Oxford, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $5.0M to the Town of Oxford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 8 paid, $81K.
Is Oxford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Oxford’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oxford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oxford’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.