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–Not graded

Natural hazards in Stratford · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Stratford

Stratford isn’t graded for hazard risk: Stratford has 769 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1986.

Flood claims

paid since 1986 · $2K

Disasters paid out here

of 12 declared for Fulton County

By hazard

What Stratford 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

94%of expected building damage

Well above average · higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts

Recorded about once a year in the area

Smaller shares here

Hurricanes Strong wind Tornadoes Earthquakes Ice storms Wildfire Winter storms Hail Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning

FEMA models no building damage here

Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.

Flood insurance claims

Does Stratford flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1986

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stratford, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year

1986

19862026

paid claims since 1986

$2K

paid to owners

homes flooded more than once

$2K

average claim

of all homes are insured

No community discount

Stratford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Fulton County.

Disasters

5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stratford

Disasters that paid out in Stratford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stratford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$718K to the Town of Stratford for repairs
2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Stratford for repairs
2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of Stratford for repairs
2006Severe Storms and Flooding$368K to the Town of Stratford for repairs
2002Snowstorms$4K to the Town of Stratford for repairs

Disasters declared, by decade

Paid out in StratfordFulton County only

Fulton County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.

Were you here?

Old photos of Stratford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Stratford archive →

Next door

Stratford and its neighbors

How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.

SalisburyCarogaEphratahOppenheimAriettaStratford

Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth

Town	Hazard risk	Mostly (buildings)	Flood claims
Salisbury	Bless damage than 60%	river and rain flooding	4
Caroga	C⁺more damage than 59%	river and rain flooding	1
Ephratah	C⁻more damage than 76%	river and rain flooding	—
Oppenheim	C⁻more damage than 76%	river and rain flooding	—
Arietta	—	264 residents; we grade 1,000+

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Stratford faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises

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.

Questions about natural hazards in Stratford

Does Stratford flood?

Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Stratford since 1986, $2K in all.

Is Stratford 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 Fulton County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.

How much is flood insurance in Stratford?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stratford’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 Stratford?

By FEMA money that reached Stratford, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $718K to the Town of Stratford for repairs.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stratford.

Town Square →

Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stratford’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.

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