Photo: Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 3.0Stonington’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stonington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1982.
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 Stonington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Stonington 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
Coastal flooding
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 Stonington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stonington, and Stonington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 12%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stonington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $331K a year in losses across Stonington: $311K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stonington flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stonington, from FEMA’s records: 51.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy27 claims · $729K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Stonington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stonington
Disasters that paid out in Stonington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Stonington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy68 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$49K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $729K
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene16 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$16K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $41K
- 2011Snowstorm$12K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$76K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$7K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$2K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs
Old photos of Stonington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stonington archive →Get ready for what Stonington 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Stonington residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Stonington
Is Stonington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stonington has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (33%). 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 Stonington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Stonington since 1982, $908K in all, or 51.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (27).
Is Stonington 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.
How much is flood insurance in Stonington?
Stonington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Stonington?
By FEMA money that reached Stonington, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 68 households applied for aid, $44K approved, and $49K to the Borough of Stonington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 27 paid, $729K.
Is Stonington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Stonington’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stonington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stonington’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.