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WiltonCTTownHallFront11112007Photo: User:Noroton · Public domain
C+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Wilton · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in Wilton than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #80 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 119 claims here since 1978.

River and rain flooding 76%Hurricanes 20%Earthquakes 2%

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

more than 62%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#80 of 155 in Connecticut
Hazard risk
C+#80 of 155
in Connecticut · higher than 62% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
76% of expected building damage
Flood claims
119
paid since 1978 · $2.5M
Flooded more than once
17
properties · 2 “severe repetitive loss”

What stands out about Wilton’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

119 paid flood claims since 1978$2.5M in all; 17 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 83% of U.S. towns.Remembers 200731 flood claims were paid for 2007 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Wilton 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

76%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

20%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 7 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Tornadoes Ice storms Strong wind Winter storms Hail Wildfire Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Wilton’s grade

River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilton, and Wilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Wilton sits
Wilton
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C+ #80 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Wilton’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding76%Hurricanes20%Everything else4%

The typical Connecticut town has higher expected damage than 62% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wilton has more expected damage per building than 51% of Connecticut towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.5M a year in losses across Wilton: $9.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Wilton covers 5 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Wilton flood? Yes: 119 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilton, from FEMA’s records: 18.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 1 claim1979: 2 claims1980: 5 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 2 claims1983: 3 claims1984: 3 claims1985: 3 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 1 claim1988: 0 claims1989: 4 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 2 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 1 claim1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 4 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 10 claims2007: 31 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 5 claims2011: 20 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 1 claim2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 3 claims2022: 1 claim2023: 0 claims2024: 17 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200720112024
19782026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irene7 claims · $32K
  • The March 2010 nor’easter5 claims · $20K
119
paid claims since 1978
$2.5M
paid to owners
17
homes flooded more than once
$21K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (2)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Wilton 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.
Disasters

14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilton

Disasters that paid out in Wilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$485K to the Town of Wilton for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
  2. 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$255K to the Town of Wilton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
  3. 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$498K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
  4. 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$95K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
  5. 2012Hurricane Sandy$735K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
  6. 2011Severe Storm$381K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
Show all 14
  1. 2011Tropical Storm Irene$184K to the Town of Wilton for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $32K
  2. 2011Snowstorm$71K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
  3. 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$112K to the Town of Wilton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$137K to the Town of Wilton for repairs31 flood claims paid that year
  5. 2006Snow$87K to the Town of Wilton for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
  6. 2005Record Snow$75K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
  7. 2003Snow$95K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
  8. 2003Snow$63K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
Were you here?

Old photos of Wilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Wilton archive →
Next door

Wilton and its neighbors

Wilton is 3rd of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

New Canaan: hazard risk CRidgefield: hazard risk B+Weston: hazard risk C−Norwalk: hazard risk CGeorgetown: not gradedRedding: hazard risk B−South Wilton: not gradedPoplar Plains: not gradedWestport: hazard risk CBranchville: not gradedNew CanaanRidgefieldWestonNorwalkGeorgetownReddingSouth WiltonPoplar PlainsWestportBranchvilleWilton
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
RidgefieldB+less damage than 65%river and rain flooding46
ReddingB−less damage than 53%river and rain flooding12
WiltonC+more damage than 62%river and rain flooding119
NorwalkCmore damage than 72%river and rain flooding1,619
New CanaanCmore damage than 73%river and rain flooding82
WestportCmore damage than 73%river and rain flooding1,547
WestonC−more damage than 78%river and rain flooding78
Georgetown—a Census area inside a town; graded with the town
South Wilton—a Census area inside a town; graded with the town
Poplar Plains—a Census area inside a town; graded with the town
Branchville—88 residents; we grade 1,000+

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Wilton faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Wilton

Is Wilton at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #80 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Wilton flood?

Flood insurance has paid 119 claims in Wilton since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 18.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).

Is Wilton 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, 57% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.2% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Wilton?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilton’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 Wilton?

By FEMA money that reached Wilton, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $735K to the Town of Wilton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $32K.

Is Wilton at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Wilton’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilton.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilton’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.