Storms, floods and disasters in Ellington
Ellington isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Ellington yet. Flood insurance has paid 62 claims here since 1982.
What Ellington 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
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.
Does Ellington flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellington, from FEMA’s records.
- The March storm17 claims · $445K
- The Late spring severe storms17 claims · $1.2M
Ellington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Reynolds County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellington
Disasters that paid out in Ellington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ellington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Wildfires4 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding50 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$133K to the City of Ellington for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$51K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$12K to the City of Ellington for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$120K aid approved$54K to the City of Ellington for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$45K to the City of Ellington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Reynolds County has had 21 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 Ellington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellington archive →Get ready for what Ellington 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.
- 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 Ellington
Does Ellington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Ellington since 1982, $2.2M in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March storm (17).
Is Ellington 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 Reynolds County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ellington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellington’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 Ellington?
By FEMA money that reached Ellington, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2017): 50 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $133K to the City of Ellington for repairs. By flood claims, March storm: 17 paid, $445K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellington’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.