Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in New Milford
New Milford isn’t graded for hazard risk: New Milford has 748 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1996.
What New Milford 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
Hurricanes
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 New Milford flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Milford, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Lee9 claims · $397K
- Tropical Storm Ivan4 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
New Milford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Susquehanna County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Milford
Disasters that paid out in New Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee34 households applied for aid$89K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $397K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides183 households applied for aid$503K aid approved20 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan36 households applied for aid$99K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $13K
Susquehanna County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of New Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Milford archive →Get ready for what New Milford 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 New Milford
Does New Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in New Milford since 1996, $691K in all. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (9).
Is New Milford 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 Susquehanna County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Milford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Milford’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 New Milford?
By FEMA money that reached New Milford, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 183 households applied for aid, $503K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 9 paid, $397K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Milford’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.