FEMA puts Hartford’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then earthquakes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1979.
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 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Hartford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartford, and Hartford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 24% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hartford’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Hartford: $762K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartford flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartford, from FEMA’s records: 23.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early winter storms3 claims · $47K
Hartford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.The storms Hartford remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Madison County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hartford itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199512 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Madison County
- 20153 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19791 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Madison County
Madison County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hartford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartford archive →Hartford and its neighbors
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Roxana | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Roxana | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Hartford | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Wood River | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Madison | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Granite City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
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 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Hartford
Is Hartford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and earthquakes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hartford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Hartford since 1979, $70K in all, or 23.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early winter storms (3).
Is 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 Madison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hartford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartford’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 Hartford?
By flood claims, Early winter storms: 3 paid, $47K.
Is Hartford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Hartford’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.