Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CT

Medium

Composite Risk Score

91.8

National percentile: 92th

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.8, 92th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $104M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Risk Overview

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 91.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 92nd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.

Most of Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 4.11 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 6.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $104M in expected annual loss for a population of 326K.

Beyond physical exposure, Greater Bridgeport Planning Region has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.

Among 9 Connecticut counties, Greater Bridgeport Planning Region ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $104M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 326K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

High $3M/yr
High $22M/yr
Very High $11M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Strong Wind High 4.11 / yr$3M
Hurricane High 0.18 / yr$22M
Coastal Flood Very High 6.16 / yr$11M
Riverine Flood High 3.54 / yr$61M
Winter Weather High 12.94 / yr$356K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr$3M
Ice Storm High 1.39 / yr$601K
Heat Wave Low 5.55 / yr$1M
Lightning Medium 26.12 / yr$318K
Cold Wave Low 1.04 / yr$958K
Landslide Very Low 0.06 / yr$1K
Tornado Low 0.07 / yr$882K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr$9K
Hail Very Low 2.09 / yr$75K
Drought Very Low 1.34 / yr$3K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr$0

Disaster History

FEMA's declaration records (1953–present) list no county-level federal disaster declarations for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region. Statewide emergency declarations may still have applied.

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 92th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?

The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Hurricane (High, $22M EAL), Coastal Flood (Very High, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Greater Bridgeport Planning Region compare to other Connecticut counties?

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region ranks #5 of 9 Connecticut counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Greater Bridgeport Planning Region had?

FEMA's declaration records (1953–present) list no county-level major disaster declarations for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region. Statewide emergency declarations may still have applied.

What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?

EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's $104M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.