Photo: Dismas · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, New Haven faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Haven gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1982.
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 New Haven 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
Earthquakes
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 New Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Haven, and New Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Haven’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $614K a year in losses across New Haven: $499K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Haven flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Haven, from FEMA’s records: 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $97K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $14K
New Haven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Addison County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Haven
Disasters that paid out in New Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene8 households applied for aid$38K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $97K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$94 aid approved
Addison County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of New Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Haven archive →New Haven and its neighbors
New Haven is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Addison | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| New Haven | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ferrisburgh | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Monkton | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bristol | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Weybridge | — | 781 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Waltham | — | 452 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 New Haven 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Haven
Is New Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Haven has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (5%). 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 New Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in New Haven since 1982, $270K in all, or 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is New Haven 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 Addison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Haven’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 Haven?
By FEMA money that reached New Haven, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 8 households applied for aid, $38K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $97K.
Is New Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and New Haven’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Haven’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.