Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CT
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 96th
Western Connecticut Planning Region faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.3, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $260M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Western Connecticut Planning Region at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 96.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 96th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Western Connecticut Planning Region's expected losses come from riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $183M in expected annual loss and about 3.54 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 4.51 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $45M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $260M in expected annual loss for a population of 620K.
Beyond physical exposure, Western Connecticut Planning Region has a 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, Western Connecticut Planning Region ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.54 / yr | $183M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.51 / yr | $6M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.14 / yr | $45M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.70 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 13.65 / yr | $706K |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $8M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 6.16 / yr | $7M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.59 / yr | $59K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 5.47 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 27.98 / yr | $791K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.19 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 3.10 / yr | $164K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $43K |
| Hail | Low | 2.50 / yr | $217K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $72 |
| 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 Western 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 Western Connecticut Planning Region?
Western Connecticut Planning Region has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.3 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Western Connecticut Planning Region?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (High, $183M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $6M EAL), Hurricane (High, $45M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Western Connecticut Planning Region compare to other Connecticut counties?
Western Connecticut Planning Region ranks #2 of 9 Connecticut counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Western Connecticut Planning Region had?
FEMA's declaration records (1953–present) list no county-level major disaster declarations for Western 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. Western Connecticut Planning Region's $260M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.