Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sherman than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sherman gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #134 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 Sherman 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 Sherman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sherman, and Sherman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #134 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sherman’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, Sherman has more expected damage per building than 86% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Sherman: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sherman flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sherman, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $10K
Sherman 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 Sherman
Disasters that paid out in Sherman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sherman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$89K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$68K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$36K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$38K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$17K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$63K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2006Snow$16K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$14K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Sherman for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd$117K to the Town of Sherman for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $22K
Old photos of Sherman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sherman archive →Sherman and its neighbors
Sherman is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawling | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| New Fairfield | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Dover | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Sherman | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| New Milford | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Gaylordsville | — | 740 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Sherman 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 Sherman
Is Sherman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sherman has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #134 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (13%). 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 Sherman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Sherman since 1979, $53K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (2).
Is Sherman 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 Sherman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sherman’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 Sherman?
By FEMA money that reached Sherman, Hurricane Floyd (1999): $117K to the Town of Sherman for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Sherman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Sherman’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sherman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sherman’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.