Western Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.