States › Connecticut › Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Between 1950 and 2026, NCEI recorded 823 storm events in Fairfield County, Connecticut, led by damaging wind.
That is 131.7 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Connecticut figure of 147.9, and 8.6 per 10,000 residents against 19.9 statewide.
15 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 14 deaths and 68 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $30M.
FEMA has designated the county in 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (major disaster, 20 Sep 2024).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 12,667 claims since 1978, of which 10,190 were paid, totalling $284M (about $28K per paid claim).
52 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 6 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Connecticut and the United States
| Measure | Fairfield County | Connecticut | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 823 | 7,161 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 131.7 | 147.9 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 8.6 | 19.9 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 15 | 235 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 14 | 65 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $30M | $848M | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 13.2 | 8.2 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $28K | $24K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | — | — | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 550 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 222 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug 1997 | Heavy Rain | Other | — | — | — | 2 | — | County |
| 1 Oct 2010 | Heavy Rain | Other | — | — | — | 2 | — | County |
| 23 Jun 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 30 mph | $8K | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 8 May 2010 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 15 May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 70 mph | $5K | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 18 Aug 2024 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $100K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 17 Jul 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | $7K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 30 Jun 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | $6K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 15 May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 70 mph | $5K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 22 Jun 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 24 May 2002 | High Wind | Wind | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 6 Sep 2008 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 24 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 100 mph | $3.2M | — | — | 25 | County |
| 29 Jun 1990 | Tornado | Tornado | F0 | $3K | — | — | 7 | County |
| 24 Jun 2010 | Tornado | Tornado | EF1 | $3.2M | — | — | 3 | County |
| 14 Jul 1950 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $250K | — | — | 3 | County |
| 3 Sep 1992 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 20 Sep 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 24 May 2009 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 24 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 90 mph | $100K | — | — | 1 | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Sep 2024 | DR-4820 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 21 Aug 2024 | EM-3612 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Public assistance |
| 30 Oct 2021 | DR-4629 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 22 Aug 2021 | EM-3564 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri | Public assistance |
| 12 Jan 2021 | DR-4580 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias | Public assistance |
| 6 Aug 2020 | EM-3535 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias | Public assistance |
| 28 Mar 2020 | DR-4500 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3439 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 20 Aug 2018 | DR-4385 | Major disaster | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-Line Winds | Public assistance |
| 21 Mar 2013 | DR-4106 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 10 Feb 2013 | EM-3361 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 30 Oct 2012 | DR-4087 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3353 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 17 Nov 2011 | DR-4046 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Public assistance |
| 31 Oct 2011 | EM-3342 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Public assistance |
| 2 Sep 2011 | DR-4023 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2011 | EM-3331 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 3 Mar 2011 | DR-1958 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 23 Apr 2010 | DR-1904 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 11 May 2007 | DR-1700 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 2 May 2006 | EM-3266 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 2005 | EM-3246 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 17 Feb 2005 | EM-3200 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Record Snow | Public assistance |
| 15 Jan 2004 | EM-3192 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 11 Mar 2003 | EM-3176 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 23 Sep 1999 | DR-1302 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 24 Jan 1996 | DR-1092 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard 0f 96 | Public assistance |
| 16 Mar 1993 | EM-3098 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Winds & Blizzard, Record Snowfall | Public assistance |
| 17 Dec 1992 | DR-972 | Major disaster | Flood | Winter Storm & Coastal Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 11 Oct 1985 | DR-747 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria | Public assistance |
| 18 Jun 1984 | DR-711 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 14 Jun 1982 | DR-661 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 7 Feb 1978 | EM-3060 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Blizzard & Snowstorms | Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 49 | 19 | $327,537 | $17,239 |
| 2025 | 6 | 4 | $81,128 | $20,282 |
| 2024 | 127 | 91 | $3,957,754 | $43,492 |
| 2023 | 50 | 34 | $901,284 | $26,508 |
| 2022 | 20 | 11 | $189,302 | $17,209 |
| 2021 | 656 | 537 | $23,029,009 | $42,885 |
| 2020 | 18 | 11 | $196,963 | $17,906 |
| 2019 | 20 | 9 | $117,249 | $13,028 |
| 2018 | 298 | 241 | $7,233,449 | $30,014 |
| 2017 | 26 | 16 | $143,183 | $8,949 |
| 2016 | 11 | 5 | $41,657 | $8,331 |
| 2015 | 8 | 4 | $59,843 | $14,961 |
| 2014 | 37 | 18 | $122,374 | $6,799 |
| 2013 | 16 | 12 | $142,261 | $11,855 |
| 2012 | 3,225 | 2,947 | $156,422,401 | $53,079 |
| 2011 | 1,380 | 1,116 | $23,247,357 | $20,831 |
| 2010 | 317 | 214 | $2,301,433 | $10,754 |
| 2009 | 16 | 7 | $43,549 | $6,221 |
| 2008 | 54 | 31 | $320,560 | $10,341 |
| 2007 | 902 | 753 | $14,643,041 | $19,446 |
| 2006 | 283 | 212 | $3,482,715 | $16,428 |
| 2005 | 105 | 74 | $1,001,797 | $13,538 |
| 2004 | 53 | 32 | $232,210 | $7,257 |
| 2003 | 24 | 14 | $125,400 | $8,957 |
| 2002 | 18 | 11 | $108,314 | $9,847 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
The current National Risk Index release does not carry a row for this county under the boundaries used on this site (Connecticut's index rows use planning regions).
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 60 mi | 58 mph |
| Henri | 2021 | 73 mi | 63 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 52 mi | 46 mph |
| Fay | 2020 | 86 mi | 40 mph |
| Isaias | 2020 | 93 mi | 63 mph |
| Andrea | 2013 | 93 mi | 46 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 55 mi | 63 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 98 mi | 52 mph |
| Barry | 2007 | 75 mi | 40 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 44 mi | 58 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 93 mi | 69 mph |
| Bob | 1991 | 92 mi | 104 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 43 mi | 86 mph |
| Henri | 1985 | 54 mi | 40 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 18 mi | 69 mph |
| Agnes | 1972 | 67 mi | 63 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 17 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 27 mi | 63 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 35 mi | 63 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 55 mi | 58 mph |
| Donna | 1960 | 44 mi | 98 mph |
| Diane | 1955 | 41 mi | 46 mph |
| Carol | 1954 | 65 mi | 115 mph |
| Able | 1952 | 71 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1944 | 65 mi | 104 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 06824 1,947
- 06880 1,894
- 06854 987
- 06902 825
- 06870 703
- 06820 625
- 06615 615
- 06853 560
- 06604 374
- 06830 313
- 06606 274
- 06825 262
- 06855 260
- 06831 214
- 06605 209
- 06905 197
- 06611 195
- 06810 190
- 06484 171
- 06897 148
- 06430 139
- 06878 128
- 06497 127
- 06807 124
- 06840 113
- 06883 107
- 06614 100
- 06850 88
- 06903 69
- 06801 68
- 06877 64
- 06890 57
- 06851 54
- 06607 46
- 06907 42
- 06811 41
- 06482 37
- 06610 37
- 06906 33
- 06470 25
- 06804 24
- 06896 20
- 06612 20
- 06856 17
- 06812 16
- 06608 14
- 06468 13
- 06432 12
- 06784 11
- 06901 7
- 06852 6
- 06436 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Fairfield County, CT?
NCEI records 79 hail events in Fairfield County since 1950, in 29 different years; that is about 1.0 recorded events a year. 5 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Fairfield County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 17 tornadoes in Fairfield County since 1950, 2 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Fairfield County?
20 Sep 2024: Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides, a major disaster declaration for severe storm. The county appears in 33 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Fairfield County, and how much was paid?
12,667 NFIP claims since 1978, 10,190 of them paid, for $284M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Fairfield County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index does not carry a row for this county under the county boundaries used on this site.
How does Fairfield County compare with the rest of Connecticut?
131.7 recorded events per 100 square miles against 147.9 statewide, and 13.2 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 8.2. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.