Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.8, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 62.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $24M in expected annual loss and about 2.25 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $378K in expected annual loss and about 2.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $33M in expected annual loss for a population of 95K.
Beyond physical exposure, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
Among 9 Connecticut counties, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.25 / yr | $24M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 2.45 / yr | $378K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $5K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $711K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.98 / yr | $529K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.75 / yr | $72K |
| Lightning | Low | 23.44 / yr | $237K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $660K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.64 / yr | $529K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.61 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.49 / yr | $163K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.17 / yr | $59K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Northeastern Connecticut 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 Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $24M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $378K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region compare to other Connecticut counties?
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region ranks #9 of 9 Connecticut counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region had?
FEMA's declaration records (1953–present) list no county-level major disaster declarations for Northeastern Connecticut 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. Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.