Courthouse and Jail House Rocks · Photo: Caddywagon at English Wikipedia · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Bridgeport than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeport gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 Bridgeport 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
Hail
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 Bridgeport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bridgeport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bridgeport: $767K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgeport flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgeport, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bridgeport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morrill County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgeport
Disasters that paid out in Bridgeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bridgeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$8K to the City of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the City of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$3K to the City of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$1K to the City of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2006Severe Winter Storms$1K to the City of Bridgeport for repairs
Morrill 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Morrill County, 2026–2026.
Old photos of Bridgeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgeport archive →Get ready for what Bridgeport 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Bridgeport
Is Bridgeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeport has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hail (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Bridgeport since 1984, $7K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bridgeport 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 Morrill County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgeport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgeport’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 Bridgeport?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgeport, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $18K to the City of Bridgeport for repairs.
Is Bridgeport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bridgeport’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgeport’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.