Stratford, Connecticut Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Stratford sits at the mouth of the Housatonic River on Long Island Sound and faces both coastal storm surge and riverine flooding. Low-lying neighborhoods along the shoreline and river corridor are vulnerable to nor'easters and hurricane-driven tidal flooding.
The county has recorded 12,618 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
1
Avg. Premium
$4,015/yr
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 Stratford.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Fairfield County
Properties in Fairfield County have filed 12,618 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 March 2026. See national claims data.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Fairfield County
Fairfield County has 1,337 properties with multiple flood losses, including 159 severe repetitive loss properties. 42 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
1,337
Severe Rep. Loss
159
Mitigated
42
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 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 March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Fairfield County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 175 properties in Fairfield County, investing $19.8M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Stratford
Stratford faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Stratford are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in Stratford's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Stratford means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven 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.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Stratford address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Stratford
Stratford participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 8
SFHA Premium Discount
10% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Stratford's Class 8 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Stratford, CT Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Stratford, CT?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Stratford 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 Stratford?
If your Stratford 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 over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Stratford?
Enter your Stratford 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.
Does Stratford offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Stratford participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 8 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 10% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Stratford experienced major flooding events?
Fairfield County, where Stratford 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 Stratford?
Fairfield County has recorded 12,618 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 Stratford.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Stratford?
Fairfield County currently has 1 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $4,015. The most policies are in Zone AE (1 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Stratford properties have flooded repeatedly?
Fairfield County has 1,337 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.
Can my Stratford 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 Stratford?
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 Stratford'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
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Look Up Any Stratford, CT Address
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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 March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.