Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Groton
Groton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Groton has 967 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1984.
What Groton 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 Groton flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Groton, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $34K
- The Vermont/New York Flooding2 claims · $20K
Groton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caledonia County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Groton
Disasters that paid out in Groton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Groton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides25 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$328K to the Town of Groton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides12 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$9K to the Town of Groton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Groton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene18 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$524K to the Town of Groton for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$89K to the Town of Groton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Groton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Groton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Groton for repairs
Caledonia County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Groton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Groton archive →Groton and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Marshfield | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Plainfield | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Ryegate | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Topsham | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Peacham | — | 887 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 Groton 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 Groton
Does Groton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Groton since 1984, $156K in all. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Groton 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 Caledonia County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Groton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Groton’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 Groton?
By FEMA money that reached Groton, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 18 households applied for aid, $34K approved, and $524K to the Town of Groton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $34K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Groton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Groton’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.