Photo: JJBers · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Putnam than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnam gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #132 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Putnam 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 Putnam’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Putnam, and Putnam’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #132 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Putnam’s residents live in 3 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, Putnam has more expected damage per building than 85% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Putnam: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Putnam flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Putnam, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Putnam 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 Putnam
Disasters that paid out in Putnam itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Putnam), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$14K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$25K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2006Snow$26K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$127K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$25K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Putnam for repairs
Old photos of Putnam after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Putnam archive →Putnam and its neighbors
Putnam is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Pomfret | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Thompson | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Killingly | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Putnam | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| South Woodstock | — | 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 Putnam 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 Putnam
Is Putnam at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnam has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #132 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Putnam flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Putnam since 1996, $6K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Putnam 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, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Putnam?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Putnam’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 Putnam?
By FEMA money that reached Putnam, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $127K to the Town of Putnam for repairs.
Is Putnam at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Putnam’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Putnam.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Putnam’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.