Norwalk, CT Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Norwalk is vulnerable to Long Island Sound coastal flooding and tidal surge. The Norwalk River and harbor areas experience frequent flooding during coastal storms and high tide events.
Fairfield County has recorded 12,662 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $280.2M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 1
NFIP Policies
17,055
Fairfield County
Avg. Premium
$1,472/yr
Fairfield County
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Fairfield County
Properties in Fairfield County have filed 12,662 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $280.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $22K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
3,225 claims - $153.5M
1992
1,581 claims - $26.9M
2011
1,380 claims - $23.1M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Fairfield County
Only roughly 1 in 14 households in Fairfield County carries NFIP flood insurance (7% of estimated households). This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage, meaning many flood losses may go uninsured.
Penetration Rate
7%
roughly 1 in 14 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
12,662 claims over 45+ years across 17,055 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$22,130
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Fairfield County has averaged 1 claim for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Norwalk.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Fairfield County
Fairfield County has 1,339 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 159 severe repetitive loss properties. 44 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
1,339
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
159
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
44
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 1,327 of 1,339 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Fairfield County
Fairfield County has been included in 14 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 6 earlier declarations since 1982.
These declarations affected communities across Fairfield County, including Norwalk.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Fairfield County
NOAA has recorded 193 flood events in Fairfield County since 1996, causing $18.8M in damage and 2 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Fairfield County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 203 properties in Fairfield County, investing $17.6M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
Levee Protection: Norwalk
The USACE National Levee Database lists 1 levee system protecting parts of Norwalk. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
Norwalk Riv RB - Norwalk, CT
AccreditedProtects against: Norwalk River - Sponsor: City of Norwalk, CT - 0.04 sq mi protected
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Western Connecticut County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $183.1M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $6.7M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $44.6M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Norwalk
Norwalk is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Norwalk are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $183.1M. Properties in Norwalk's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Norwalk are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Norwalk address.
Norwalk, CT Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Norwalk, CT?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Norwalk are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Norwalk?
If your Norwalk property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Norwalk?
Enter your Norwalk address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in Norwalk?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Western Connecticut County (where Norwalk is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $183.1M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has Norwalk experienced major flooding events?
Fairfield County, where Norwalk is located, has been part of 14 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Norwalk?
Fairfield County has recorded 12,662 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $280.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 3,225 claims and $153.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Norwalk.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Norwalk?
Fairfield County had 17,055 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $1,472. The most policies are in Zone AE (12,116 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Norwalk properties have flooded repeatedly?
Fairfield County has 1,339 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 159 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Is Norwalk protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 1 levee system protecting parts of Norwalk (Norwalk Riv RB - Norwalk, CT). All of these are FEMA-accredited, meaning the area they protect is generally mapped as Zone X rather than a high-risk zone. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my Norwalk property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Norwalk?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Norwalk's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other Connecticut Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
See the Flood Map for Any Norwalk, CT Address
Enter a Norwalk, CT address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.