Photo: ML.Nature.Photo · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Woodstock than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodstock gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #74 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1989.
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 Woodstock 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 Woodstock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woodstock, and Woodstock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #74 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woodstock’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, Woodstock has less expected damage per building than 53% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Woodstock: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woodstock flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woodstock, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Elsa1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $4K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $15K
Woodstock 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 Woodstock
Disasters that paid out in Woodstock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Woodstock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$55K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$88K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2006Snow$14K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$101K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$21K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs
Old photos of Woodstock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woodstock archive →Woodstock and its neighbors
Woodstock has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Pomfret | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Thompson | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Eastford | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Putnam | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| South Woodstock | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Union | — | 944 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| 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 Woodstock 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 Woodstock
Is Woodstock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woodstock has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #74 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woodstock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Woodstock since 1989, $124K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Elsa (1).
Is Woodstock 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 Woodstock?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woodstock’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 Woodstock?
By FEMA money that reached Woodstock, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $101K to the Town of Woodstock for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Elsa: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Woodstock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Woodstock’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woodstock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woodstock’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.