Connecticut natural disasters & FEMA declarations
CT · 47th most declarations of 51 states/DC
Connecticut has had 43 federally declared disasters since 1954, the 47th most of any US state or DC. Its most common hazard is Hurricane (14 declarations, about 33% of the total). The most recent declaration was "Hawthorne Fire " (Fire), on Oct 24, 2024.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by hazard type
These are the distinct FEMA disaster declarations for Connecticut, grouped by their primary incident type. A single declaration can affect many counties; each is counted once here.
| Hazard / incident type | Declarations | Share of state total |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 14 | 33% |
| Severe Storm | 12 | 28% |
| Snowstorm | 8 | 19% |
| Tornado | 3 | 7% |
| Flood | 3 | 7% |
| Biological | 2 | 5% |
| Fire | 1 | 2% |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by program type
FEMA issues several kinds of declaration. Major Disaster (DR) declarations unlock the widest assistance; Emergency (EM) declarations are more limited; and Fire Management Assistance (FM) grants help fight large wildfires.
| Declaration type | Declarations |
|---|---|
| Major Disaster (DR) | 26 |
| Emergency (EM) | 16 |
| Fire Management Assistance (FM) | 1 |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Declarations by decade
How Connecticut's declaration count has changed over time. Earlier decades reflect both fewer disasters and a narrower federal declaration program; recent decades are the most complete.
| Decade | Declarations |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 2 |
| 1970s | 1 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 7 |
| 2010s | 13 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Most recent declarations
| Date | Title | Type | FEMA ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2024 | Hawthorne Fire | Fire | FM-5542-CT |
| Sep 20, 2024 | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | DR-4820-CT |
| Aug 21, 2024 | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | EM-3612-CT |
| Jan 13, 2024 | Severe Storms, Flooding, And A Potential Dam Breach | Severe Storm | EM-3604-CT |
| Oct 30, 2021 | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | DR-4629-CT |
| Aug 22, 2021 | Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | EM-3564-CT |
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2. Data as of June 2026.
Notable earthquakes in or near Connecticut
No magnitude-6.0+ earthquakes are attributed to Connecticut in the USGS catalog used here. That does not mean the state has zero seismic risk — smaller earthquakes occur in most states. See our earthquake risk by region guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many federally declared disasters has Connecticut had?
Connecticut has had 43 distinct FEMA disaster declarations since 1954, the 47th most of any US state or DC, according to FEMA's Disaster Declarations Summaries.
What is the most common disaster in Connecticut?
The most common federally declared disaster type in Connecticut is "Hurricane", with 14 declarations — about 33% of the state's total.
When was the most recent disaster declaration in Connecticut?
The most recent FEMA declaration in Connecticut in this snapshot was "Hawthorne Fire " (Fire), declared Oct 24, 2024.
Related
Source & notes
Disaster data from OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2; earthquake data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (FDSN event service). Both are US public domain. Counts are distinct declarations (a declaration affecting many counties is counted once). HazardMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by FEMA or USGS; this is general information, not safety or insurance advice. Verify with official sources.
Last updated: 2026-06-18