Southwest District School · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Wolcott as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolcott gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #42 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Wolcott 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 Wolcott’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wolcott, and Wolcott’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #42 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wolcott’s residents live in 3 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, Wolcott has less expected damage per building than 73% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Wolcott: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wolcott flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wolcott, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $55K
Wolcott 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 Wolcott
Disasters that paid out in Wolcott itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wolcott), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$29K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$409K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$108K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$216K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$139K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$173K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$118K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2011Snowstorm$75K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2006Snow$37K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$49K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2003Snow$44K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
- 2003Snow$33K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs
Old photos of Wolcott after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wolcott archive →Wolcott and its neighbors
Wolcott has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolcott | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Cheshire | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Southington | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Plymouth | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Bristol | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Waterbury | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Wolcott 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 Wolcott
Is Wolcott at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolcott has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #42 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wolcott flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Wolcott since 1978, $280K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% 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 Wolcott 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 Wolcott?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wolcott’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 Wolcott?
By FEMA money that reached Wolcott, Tropical Storm Isaias (2020): $409K to the Town of Wolcott for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $55K.
Is Wolcott at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Wolcott’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wolcott.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wolcott’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.