Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Danbury’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danbury gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 112 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Danbury’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Danbury 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.
What’s behind Danbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Danbury, and Danbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Danbury’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $690K a year in losses across Danbury: $491K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Danbury flood? Yes: 112 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Danbury, from FEMA’s records: 140.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey39 claims · $3.2M
- Tropical Storm Claudette23 claims · $154K
- Tropical Storm Allison2 claims · $399
Danbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Danbury
Disasters that paid out in Danbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Danbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl432 households applied for aid$390K aid approved$275K to the City of Danbury for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms54 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey344 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved39 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$110 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike471 households applied for aid$185K aid approved$221K to the City of Danbury for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita102 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
Brazoria County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Danbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Danbury archive →Get ready for what Danbury 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 Danbury
Is Danbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Danbury has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (46%). 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 Danbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 112 claims in Danbury since 1979, $4.4M in all, or 140.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (39).
Is Danbury 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Danbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Danbury’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 Danbury?
By FEMA money that reached Danbury, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 344 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 39 paid, $3.2M.
Is Danbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Danbury’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Danbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Danbury’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.