Photo: Делян Ковачев · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Shelton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #88 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 138 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 Shelton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shelton 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 Shelton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelton, and Shelton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #88 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelton’s residents live in 9 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, Shelton has more expected damage per building than 56% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across Shelton: $11.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelton flood? Yes: 138 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelton, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $38K
- The March 2010 nor’easter4 claims · $32K
Shelton 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 Shelton
Disasters that paid out in Shelton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shelton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$99K to the City of Shelton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$252K to the City of Shelton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$204K to the City of Shelton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy73 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$153K to the City of Shelton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene84 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$36K to the City of Shelton for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $38K
Show all 13
- 2011Snowstorm$56K to the City of Shelton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$25K to the City of Shelton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding55 households applied for aid$74K aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$57K to the City of Shelton for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$71K to the City of Shelton for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$58K to the City of Shelton for repairs
- 2003Snow$42K to the City of Shelton for repairs
Old photos of Shelton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelton archive →Shelton and its neighbors
Shelton is 5th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Trumbull | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 151 |
| Seymour | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Orange | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 129 |
| Shelton | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 138 |
| Stratford | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 628 |
| Milford | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2,701 |
| Derby | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Oronoque | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Daniels Farm | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| East Village | — | 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 Shelton 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 Shelton
Is Shelton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelton has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #88 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shelton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 138 claims in Shelton since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Shelton 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, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shelton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelton’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 Shelton?
By FEMA money that reached Shelton, Tropical Storm Isaias (2020): $252K to the City of Shelton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $38K.
Is Shelton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Shelton’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelton’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.