Photo: Aab254 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Redding 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, Redding gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #38 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Redding 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 Redding’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Redding, and Redding’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #38 of 155 in Connecticut; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Redding’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, Redding has less expected damage per building than 76% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Redding: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Redding flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Redding, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $10K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $994
Redding 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 Redding
Disasters that paid out in Redding itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Redding), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$926K to the Town of Redding for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$203K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$70K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$302K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$233K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$135K to the Town of Redding for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $10K
Show all 13
- 2011Snowstorm$68K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$250K to the Town of Redding for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$50K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$36K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2003Snow$39K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 2003Snow$30K to the Town of Redding for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd$17K to the Town of Redding for repairs
Old photos of Redding after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Redding archive →Redding and its neighbors
Redding is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgefield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Easton | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Bethel | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Redding | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Wilton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Danbury | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
| Weston | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
| Topstone | — | 122 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Branchville | — | 88 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Route 7 Gateway | — | 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 Redding 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 Redding
Is Redding at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Redding has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #38 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Redding flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Redding since 1996, $154K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Redding 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, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Redding?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Redding’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 Redding?
By FEMA money that reached Redding, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): $926K to the Town of Redding for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Redding at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Redding’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Redding.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Redding’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.