Photo: 3Dimka at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Southington faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southington gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #73 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 72 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 Southington 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 Southington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southington, and Southington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #73 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southington’s residents live in 12 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, Southington has less expected damage per building than 53% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.5M a year in losses across Southington: $13.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southington flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southington, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $17K
- Hurricane Ida4 claims · $101K
Southington 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 Southington
Disasters that paid out in Southington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Southington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$105K to the Town of Southington for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$216K to the Town of Southington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$785K to the Town of Southington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$145K to the Town of Southington for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $6K
- 2011Snowstorm$87K to the Town of Southington for repairs
- 2006Snow$117K to the Town of Southington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$121K to the Town of Southington for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$107K to the Town of Southington for repairs
- 2003Snow$94K to the Town of Southington for repairs
Old photos of Southington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southington archive →Southington and its neighbors
Southington is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Britain | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Wolcott | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Cheshire | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Southington | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Berlin | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Plainville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Bristol | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Meriden | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 182 |
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 Southington 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 Southington
Is Southington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southington has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #73 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Southington since 1978, $843K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (4).
Is Southington 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, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southington’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 Southington?
By FEMA money that reached Southington, Severe Storm (2011): $785K to the Town of Southington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 4 paid, $17K.
Is Southington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Southington’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southington’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.