Photo: Ragesoss · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts West Hartford’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hartford gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #79 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 282 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 stands out about West Hartford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Hartford 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
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 West Hartford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Hartford, and West Hartford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #79 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Hartford’s residents live in 17 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, West Hartford has more expected damage per building than 51% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.5M a year in losses across West Hartford: $20.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Hartford flood? Yes: 282 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Hartford, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd6 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $124K
West Hartford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: the county.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Hartford
Disasters that paid out in West Hartford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Hartford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$792K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$226K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$8.0M to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$83K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2011Snowstorm$169K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
- 2006Snow$160K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$48K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$124K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
- 2003Snow$104K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
- 2003Snow$117K to the Town of West Hartford for repairs
Old photos of West Hartford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Hartford archive →West Hartford and its neighbors
West Hartford is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newington | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Bloomfield | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| West Hartford | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 282 |
| Farmington | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Avon | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Hartford | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
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 West Hartford 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.
- 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.
- West Hartford residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Hartford
Is West Hartford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hartford has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #79 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Hartford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 282 claims in West Hartford since 1978, $1.6M in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (6).
Is West Hartford 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, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Hartford?
West Hartford is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 West Hartford?
By FEMA money that reached West Hartford, Severe Storm (2011): $8.0M to the Town of West Hartford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 6 paid, $24K.
Is West Hartford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and West Hartford’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Hartford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Hartford’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.