Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 63% of US counties. It ranks 9th of 9 planning regions in Connecticut. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, hurricanes and earthquakes. FEMA estimates about $33 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $348 per resident. Since 1978 it has been included in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (15 major disasters). The most recent was in August 2021 (Hurricane Henri). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (81 policies).
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Know your evacuation zone and route before June 1.
- Ask about roof age, shutters and the separate wind or hurricane deductible on your home policy.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 75.2 | $24M | ||
| Hurricane | 86.1 | $6M | ||
| Earthquake | 61.4 | $711K | ||
| Tornado | 28.3 | $660K | ||
| Cold wave | 27.3 | $529K | ||
| Heat wave | 49.7 | $529K | ||
| Ice storm | 73.2 | $378K | ||
| Lightning | 40.5 | $237K | ||
| Strong wind | 13.9 | $163K | ||
| Winter weather | 42.6 | $72K | ||
| Hail | 12.4 | $59K | ||
| Drought | 27.2 | $25K | ||
| Wildfire | 22.9 | $14K | ||
| Landslide | 62.2 | $5K |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very low and community resilience is relatively high in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 28
Connecticut also had 13 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Includes declarations made under former county codes; Connecticut regions overlap several old counties, so counts are approximate.
Hurricanes and tropical storms
Hurricane risk by county ›Since 1851, 10 hurricanes and 25 tropical storms have passed within 65 miles of the center of Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, 17 of them since 1950. The strongest was Hurricane Carol (1954), with top winds near 115 mph about 61 miles away.
Strongest storms nearby
| Date | Storm | Strength | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 1954 | Carol | Category 3, 115 mph | 61 mi |
| Sep 21, 1938 | Unnamed | Category 3, 115 mph | 61 mi |
| Sep 8, 1869 | Unnamed | Category 3, 115 mph | 58 mi |
| Aug 19, 1991 | Bob | Category 2, 105 mph | 48 mi |
| Sep 15, 1944 | Unnamed | Category 2, 100 mph | 60 mi |
| Sep 12, 1960 | Donna | Category 1, 95 mph | 60 mi |
Most recent storms
| Date | Storm | Strength | Closest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2021 | Henri | Tropical storm, 65 mph | 61 mi |
| Jul 9, 2021 | Elsa | Tropical storm, 60 mph | 61 mi |
| Aug 31, 2004 | Hermine | Tropical storm, 40 mph | 60 mi |
| Sep 17, 1999 | Floyd | Tropical storm, 60 mph | 55 mi |
| Jul 13, 1996 | Bertha | Tropical storm, 70 mph | 49 mi |
| Aug 19, 1991 | Bob | Category 2, 105 mph | 48 mi |
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.
Flood insurance in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 41,736 housing units.
Compare in Connecticut
All 9 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Capitol Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| Western Connecticut Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| South Central Connecticut Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | Inland flooding | |
| Northwest Hills Planning Region | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Capitol Planning Region | 30 | |
| Worcester County, MA | 30 | |
| Providence County, RI | 21 | |
| Hampden County, MA | 22 | |
| Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 30 | |
| Kent County, RI | 20 | |
| Washington County, RI | 22 |
Common questions about Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
What is the biggest natural hazard in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, about $23.5 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Hurricane is second at $6.3 million.
How many federal disasters has Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region had?
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has been included in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1978, including 15 major disasters. The most recent was Hurricane Henri in August 2021.
Is Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 9th highest of 9 in Connecticut. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 500 homes in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many hurricanes have hit Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?
NOAA's hurricane records show 10 hurricanes and 25 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the center of Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, including 3 major hurricanes (Category 3 or stronger). The strongest was Hurricane Carol (1954), with winds near 115 mph.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.