Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Ridgefield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ridgefield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #9 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 46 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 Ridgefield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ridgefield, and Ridgefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 24% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #9 of 155 in Connecticut; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ridgefield’s residents live in 6 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, Ridgefield has less expected damage per building than 95% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Ridgefield: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ridgefield flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ridgefield, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd7 claims · $35K
- Hurricane Ida5 claims · $166K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $29K
Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield
Disasters that paid out in Ridgefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ridgefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$276K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$100K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$107K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$673K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$440K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$344K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $29K
Show all 13
- 2011Snowstorm$76K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$44K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$84K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$75K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2003Snow$65K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 2003Snow$51K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd$236K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $35K
Old photos of Ridgefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ridgefield archive →Ridgefield and its neighbors
Ridgefield is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisboro | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| North Salem | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ridgefield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| 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 |
| Ridgebury | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| West Mountain | — | 387 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Branchville | — | 88 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Georgetown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| 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 Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield
Is Ridgefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ridgefield has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #9 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ridgefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Ridgefield since 1978, $488K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (7).
Is Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ridgefield’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 Ridgefield?
By FEMA money that reached Ridgefield, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $673K to the Town of Ridgefield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 7 paid, $35K.
Is Ridgefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Ridgefield’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ridgefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ridgefield’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.