Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Preston 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, Preston gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #64 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
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 Preston 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 Preston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Preston, and Preston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 26% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #64 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Preston’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Connecticut town has higher expected damage than 62% of U.S. towns; within the state, Preston has less expected damage per building than 59% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Preston: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Preston flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Preston, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $40K
Preston 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Preston
Disasters that paid out in Preston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Preston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$11K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$57K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2011Snowstorm$19K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to the Town of Preston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$15K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Preston for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Preston for repairs
Old photos of Preston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Preston archive →Preston and its neighbors
Preston is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ledyard | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Stonington | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Preston | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lisbon | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Griswold | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Montville | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Norwich | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 208 |
| Mashantucket | — | 86 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Preston 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 Preston
Is Preston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Preston has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #64 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (26%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Preston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Preston since 1979, $47K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Preston 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 Preston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Preston’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 Preston?
By FEMA money that reached Preston, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): $57K to the Town of Preston for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $40K.
Is Preston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Preston’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Preston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Preston’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.