Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Salem than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #11 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Salem 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 Salem’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 39% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B #11 of 155 in Connecticut; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Salem’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, Salem has less expected damage per building than 94% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Salem: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Salem 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 Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$24K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$31K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2011Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the Town of Salem for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$14K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Salem for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Salem for repairs
Old photos of Salem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Salem and its neighbors
Salem has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| East Haddam | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Colchester | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Montville | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| East Lyme | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 195 |
| Lyme | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Bozrah | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Salem 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 Salem
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #11 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (39%). 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 Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Salem since 2010, $2K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Salem 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 Salem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem’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 Salem?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $46K to the Town of Salem for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Salem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Salem’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.