Enter any address in New London County, Connecticut to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in New London County, CT, with 81 recorded events in the last 30 years. Recent examples include widespread flash flooding on July 16, 2023, due to torrential thunderstorms, and a similar event on January 10, 2024, caused by persistent moderate to heavy rainfall. Coastal flooding also occurs, driven by strong winds combined with high astronomical tides, as seen on January 13, 2024, and January 10, 2024.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $15,527 and an average water depth of 2.9 feet. Zone V properties have seen the highest average payouts at $22,771, with an average water depth of 3.9 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, properties located near rivers, and those in zones with higher claim frequency and payouts should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
46 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
New London County, Connecticut has recorded 146 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 81 flash floods and 45 river or area floods. The county has received 30 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1978–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And A Potential Dam Breach | Severe Storm | Jan 10, 2024 |
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2021 |
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 21, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 25, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 26, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 22, 2021 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Jul 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2024
Strong low pressure shifted northeast through the eastern Great Lakes on January 13, 2024, sending a warm front through during the morning hours, followed quickly by a cold front. Strong winds produced by this system, combined with peaking high astronomical tides associated with a recent new moon, produced widespread moderate coastal flooding along the southern Connecticut coastline.
Flash Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A large low pressure system impacted the area late on January 9th and into the 10th with long duration persistent moderate to heavy rainfall. In addition to widespread river flooding, some localized areas of flash flooding occurred as the heaviest rainfall associated with convection moved through. Precipitable water values of 1.2-1.4 inches were record levels for early January. The anomalous mo...
Coastal Flood — Jan 10, 2024
Strong low pressure moving northeast from the Mid Atlantic region to southern New England during the night of January 9, 2024 into the early morning hours of January 10, 2024 produced high winds, which combined with high astronomical tides associated with an upcoming new moon to produce moderate coastal flooding along the southeast Connecticut coastline.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2023
A stationary front near the area forced torrential thunderstorms in a tropical airmass resulting in widespread flash flooding in CT. The first round of thunderstorms occurred early in the morning on July 16th. Another round of thunderstorms occurred later in the afternoon. The tropical airmass had CAPE values 1500 - 2000 J/kg with PWATs 2.2-2.4 inches. The torrential thunderstorms produced rain...
Flash Flood — Jul 10, 2023
A stalled frontal boundary remained over the area which produced multiple rounds of torrential rainfall form heavy thunderstorms from July 9th through July 10th. CAPE values of 2500 to 3500 J/kg and PWAT values of near 1.8 allowed heavy thunderstorm development to produce rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour at times. There were parts of the area that receive anywhere from 3-5 inches of rain i...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in New London County, Connecticut:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in New London County, Connecticut that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.