Photo: Doncram · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Torrington than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Torrington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #129 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Torrington 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 Torrington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Torrington, and Torrington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #129 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Torrington’s residents live in 11 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, Torrington has more expected damage per building than 83% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.5M a year in losses across Torrington: $13.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Torrington flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Torrington, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $19K
Torrington 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Torrington
Disasters that paid out in Torrington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Torrington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$227K to the City of Torrington for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$135K to the City of Torrington for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$333K to the City of Torrington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene59 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$87K to the City of Torrington for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $19K
- 2011Snowstorm$83K to the City of Torrington for repairs
Show all 12
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding70 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$577K to the City of Torrington for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the City of Torrington for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$90K to the City of Torrington for repairs
- 2003Snow$76K to the City of Torrington for repairs
- 2003Snow$65K to the City of Torrington for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd$10K to the City of Torrington for repairs
Old photos of Torrington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Torrington archive →Torrington and its neighbors
Torrington is 4th 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 |
| Goshen | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Litchfield | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Torrington | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| New Hartford | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Winchester | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Northwest Harwinton | — | 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 Torrington 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 Torrington
Is Torrington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Torrington has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #129 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Torrington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Torrington since 1978, $185K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Torrington 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, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Torrington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Torrington’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 Torrington?
By FEMA money that reached Torrington, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 70 households applied for aid, $66K approved, and $577K to the City of Torrington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $19K.
Is Torrington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Torrington’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Torrington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Torrington’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.