Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bridgeport than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeport gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1978.
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
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 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgeport’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Bridgeport: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgeport flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgeport, from FEMA’s records: 42.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $26K
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: Belmont County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgeport
Disasters that paid out in Bridgeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bridgeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides$190K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides30 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$80K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding278 households applied for aid$647K aid approved$303K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$65K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$10K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs
Belmont County has had 18 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 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 →Bridgeport and its neighbors
Bridgeport has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Pease Township | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Wheeling | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,656 |
| Martins Ferry | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Brookside | — | 610 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.
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.
- 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 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Bridgeport since 1978, $203K in all, or 42.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (3).
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 Belmont County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
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 (2004): 278 households applied for aid, $647K approved, and $303K to the Village of Bridgeport for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 3 paid, $26K.
Is Bridgeport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Bridgeport’s rate for it is in the top 2% 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.