Water Damage and Flooding Statistics in Connecticut

Connecticut is vulnerable to flooding year-round due to its geographic features. The state’s southern border is coastline, and many cities and towns are situated along rivers and streams. Heavy rainfall and snowmelt can overwhelm waterways at any time, while hurricanes and storms can trigger coastal flooding and storm surges.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are becoming more damaging as the sea levels around Connecticut continue to rise.  When Super Storm Sandy hit Connecticut in 2013, it caused ten-foot storm surges and cost the state $5.4 billion to clean up the damage.  A study from Climate Central found that climate change and rising sea levels made the damage from Super Storm Sandy worse as $8.1 billion of the $60 billion in total damage caused by the storm can be attributed directly to these factors and an additional 71,000 people were affected.

Coastal and Inland Flooding

The state of Connecticut must address the risk of coastal and inland flooding.  The rising sea levels and storm surges put cities and towns along the coast at a much higher risk of flooding.  The roads and railroads in these coastal areas are built so low that it does not take much for them to become submerged in water, greatly interrupting traffic in the area.  This can become a problem in the event of a major hurricane as it can make evacuation difficult.  Storm surges that can reach 20 feet in height can cause widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

As the sea levels rise, the water moves closer to surrounding homes, businesses, and infrastructure, increasing the risk of flash flooding.  The amount of annual precipitation and frequency of major storms are also increasing, adding to the risk of major flooding.

Inland flooding is a problem because many of the towns and cities of Connecticut were built near streams and rivers in the 18^th and 19th centuries.  The dense infrastructure around these bodies of water is at risk of flooding, especially as the precipitation continues to increase.  The state is also at the bottom of several major rivers, including the Connecticut River, which means that water from rain and snowmelt from states north of Connecticut, such as Vermont and Massachusetts, come into the state in the rivers.

Connecticut residents can take the following steps to help prepare for the possibility of floods and protect themselves and their property:

• Know what type of flood zone you live in and if you are near the coast, have a plan ready in case you need to evacuate.
• If you have experienced flooding in your area before, you can expect to experience flooding again at some point.
• Purchase flood insurance, even if you are in an area with a lower risk, to ensure that you have coverage in case of flooding.
• If flooding has occurred, make sure you do the following:
  • Do not drive through flooded areas as it only takes about 12 inches of moving water to sweep a vehicle away.
  • Move to higher ground or a higher floor within your home.
  • Pay attention to reports and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

Flooding is a major risk throughout the state of Connecticut and the magnitude and effects of flooding events are only expected to get worse.  If your home is affected by flooding or water damage due to another cause such as leaks, plumbing issues, or sewage backups, you will need to call a water damage restoration professional to address the damage.  Water damage restoration technicians use advanced equipment to remove water from your property as well as dry and restore the damage it caused.

Fire Damage Statistics in Connecticut

Connecticut experiences fires that strike homes and businesses and the state is also prone to wildfires at certain times of the year.  Spring is the main season for wildfires as the warmer temperatures and drier conditions make fires more likely to occur.  It is also common for Connecticut to be affected by smoke from wildfires in Canada and surrounding states.

For residential and structural fires, Connecticut has slightly higher death and injury rates than the national average.  According to NFIRS data for 2022, Connecticut experienced 3.2 deaths and 10.1 injuries per 1000 fires compared to national averages of 2.1 deaths and 6.4 injuries, and 6.6 deaths and 20 injuries per 1000 residential fires compared to national averages of 6.1 deaths and 19.8 injuries.

The following are the death percentages for each type of fire incident in Connecticut in 2022:

• Structure fires: 71.4% (national average: 74%)
• Residential structure fires: 71.4% (national average: 70%)
• Vehicles: 28.6% (national average: 21.6%)
• Outside: 0% (national average: 3.1%)

The following is the injury percentage for each type of fire incident in 2022:

• Structure fires: 78.2% (national average: 83.1%)
• Residential structure fires: 70.1% (national average: 74.6%)
• Vehicles: 6.9% (national average: 8.3%)
• Outside: 8% (national average: 5.7%)

The following is the injury percentage for firefighters for each type of fire incident in 2022:

• Structure fires: 88.2% (national average: 79.2%)
• Residential structure fires: 65.4% (national average: 58.8%)
• Vehicles: 5.9% (national average: 7%)
• Outside: 5.9% (national average: 12.5%)

As of April 2024, there have been 15 reported home fire fatalities in Connecticut and no on-duty firefighter fatalities.  If there is a fire at your home or business in Connecticut, the first thing you need to do is evacuate the property safely and call the fire department.  Once the fire is out, you must call a local fire damage restoration professional that can stabilize and restore the damage caused by fire, smoke, and soot.

Wildfires in Connecticut

Wildfires do occur in Connecticut and most of them are caused by human activities including campfires, arson, improper burning of debris, and equipment.  The main wildfire season in Connecticut is during spring from mid-March to mid-May when the temperatures rise, and vegetation becomes dry.  Drought is another factor that contributes to the risk of wildfires as dry vegetation fuels fires which are also harder to put out during a drought.

Residents of Connecticut should be vigilant of any news regarding wildfires in their area, whether there is a blaze or a high risk of smoke affecting the air quality.  Be ready to evacuate in case of an encroaching wildfire and take steps to protect your health if your area is dealing with poor indoor air quality.

Water and Fire Restoration Services and Leads | Connecticut

Fire and water can inflict substantial property damage, resulting in severe losses for homes and businesses. Disaster restoration contractors in Connecticut use advanced restoration methods and state-of-the-art equipment to fully restore homes and businesses impacted by fire and flooding. Available 24/7, these experts are ready to handle emergencies at any time.

For a local disaster restoration contractor in Connecticut, call (888) 915-7197.

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