Photo: Ambarenya13 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Thompson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thompson gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #86 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2005.
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 Thompson 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 Thompson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thompson, and Thompson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #86 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thompson’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, Thompson has more expected damage per building than 55% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Thompson: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thompson flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thompson, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $8K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $67K
Thompson 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 Thompson
Disasters that paid out in Thompson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Thompson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$9K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$15K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2006Snow$13K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$23K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2003Snow$17K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
Old photos of Thompson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thompson archive →Thompson and its neighbors
Thompson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Burrillville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Woodstock | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Thompson | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Putnam | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Quinebaug | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Thompson 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 Thompson
Is Thompson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thompson has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #86 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thompson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Thompson since 2005, $237K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is Thompson 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 Thompson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thompson’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 Thompson?
By FEMA money that reached Thompson, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2015): $37K to the Town of Thompson for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Thompson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Thompson’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thompson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thompson’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.