Photo: Prb06787 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Thomaston’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomaston gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2011.
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 Thomaston 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 Thomaston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thomaston, and Thomaston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
D #154 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thomaston’s residents live in 2 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, Thomaston has more expected damage per building than 99% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Thomaston: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thomaston flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thomaston, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
Thomaston 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thomaston
Disasters that paid out in Thomaston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Thomaston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$15K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$37K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$34K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2011Snowstorm$25K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$850 to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$20K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs
Old photos of Thomaston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thomaston archive →Thomaston and its neighbors
Thomaston is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harwinton | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Morris | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Watertown | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Litchfield | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Plymouth | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Thomaston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Thomaston 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 Thomaston
Is Thomaston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thomaston has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thomaston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Thomaston since 2011, $20K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Thomaston 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 Thomaston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thomaston’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 Thomaston?
By FEMA money that reached Thomaston, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2013): $38K to the Town of Thomaston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Thomaston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Thomaston’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thomaston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thomaston’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.