Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sterling than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #94 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Sterling 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 Sterling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sterling, and Sterling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
C #94 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sterling’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, Sterling has more expected damage per building than 60% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Sterling: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sterling flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sterling, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $59K
Sterling 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sterling
Disasters that paid out in Sterling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sterling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$19K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2006Snow$12K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$9K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Sterling for repairs
Old photos of Sterling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sterling archive →Sterling and its neighbors
Sterling is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foster | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Coventry | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Voluntown | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Sterling | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Plainfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Sterling 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 Sterling
Is Sterling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sterling has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #94 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (20%). 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 Sterling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Sterling since 1978, $64K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is Sterling 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, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sterling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sterling’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 Sterling?
By FEMA money that reached Sterling, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): $19K to the Town of Sterling for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $59K.
Is Sterling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Sterling’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sterling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sterling’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.