Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hartford than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #34 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 2011.
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 Hartford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hartford 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 Hartford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartford, and Hartford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #34 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hartford’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hartford has less expected damage per building than 53% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Hartford: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartford flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartford, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene15 claims · $1.4M
- The Vermont/New York Flooding2 claims · $193K
Hartford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windsor County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hartford
Disasters that paid out in Hartford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hartford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$241K to the Town of Hartford for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Town of Hartford for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$216K to the Town of Hartford for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$2.1M to the Town of Hartford for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Hartford for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Hartford for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Snow$14K to the Town of Hartford for repairs
Windsor County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Hartford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartford archive →Hartford and its neighbors
Hartford is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartland | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hartford | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Norwich | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Woodstock | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Lebanon | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Wilder | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| White River Junction | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pomfret | — | 908 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 Hartford 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 Hartford
Is Hartford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #34 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hartford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Hartford since 2011, $1.6M in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (15).
Is Hartford 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 Windsor County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hartford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartford’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 Hartford?
By FEMA money that reached Hartford, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 19 households applied for aid, $42K approved, and $2.1M to the Town of Hartford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 15 paid, $1.4M.
Is Hartford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Hartford’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartford’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.