On FEMA’s figures, New Haven faces more 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 a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 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
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 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Haven, and New Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher 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 $1.0M a year in losses across New Haven: $937K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Haven flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Haven, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $37K
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: Mason 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.
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides1 households applied for aid$986 aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides3 households applied for aid$223 aid approved$11K to the Town of New Haven for repairs
Mason County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
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 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| New Haven | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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.
- 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 higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 8 claims in New Haven since 1979, $100K in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
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 Mason County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
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, Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides (2003): 3 households applied for aid, $223 approved, and $11K to the Town of New Haven for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $37K.
Is New Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and New Haven’s rate for it is in the top 7% 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.