Photo: Staib · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Wilmington as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmington gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1980.
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 Wilmington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wilmington 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 Wilmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilmington, and Wilmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wilmington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Wilmington: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilmington flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilmington, from FEMA’s records: 16.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene28 claims · $3.1M
Wilmington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windham County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilmington
Disasters that paid out in Wilmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wilmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$84K to the Town of Wilmington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene240 households applied for aid$373K aid approved$1.4M to the Town of Wilmington for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $3.1M
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$84K to the Town of Wilmington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$159K to the Town of Wilmington for repairs
- 2001Snow$7K to the Town of Wilmington for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$52K to the Town of Wilmington for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Windham County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Wilmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilmington archive →Wilmington and its neighbors
Wilmington is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Whitingham | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Wilmington | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Searsburg | — | 129 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Readsboro | — | 807 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Is Wilmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilmington has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Wilmington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Wilmington since 1980, $3.2M in all, or 16.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (28).
Is Wilmington 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 Windham County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wilmington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilmington’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 Wilmington?
By FEMA money that reached Wilmington, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 240 households applied for aid, $373K approved, and $1.4M to the Town of Wilmington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 28 paid, $3.1M.
Is Wilmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Wilmington’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilmington’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.