riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region Disaster Risk

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

92th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 9 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

95th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut

Bridgeport region sits just above national norm

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's composite risk score of 91.76 places it in the relatively moderate category, slightly above Connecticut's state average of 87.62. This balanced profile reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types, with particular concentration in coastal and urban-related risks.

Middle-of-the-pack risk across Connecticut

Greater Bridgeport ranks fourth among Connecticut's eight planning regions by disaster risk, sitting between Naugatuck Valley (93.19) and Southeastern Connecticut (88.64). The region's moderate composite score masks significant variation in individual hazard types.

Comparable risk to coastal planning regions

Greater Bridgeport's 91.76 score closely mirrors Naugatuck Valley (93.19) and slightly exceeds South Central Connecticut (95.13) in some hazards but falls below it overall. As a coastal region, it shares similar hurricane and flood profiles with other Long Island Sound planning areas.

Hurricane and flood threats dominate the coast

Hurricane risk (95.08) and flood risk (94.80) are the primary concerns, reflecting the region's coastal and urban geography prone to coastal storms and flash flooding. Earthquake risk (86.42) adds a secondary but meaningful threat, while wildfire and tornado risks remain comparatively low.

Hurricane and flood insurance are essential

If you own property in Greater Bridgeport, flood insurance is not optional—it's critical given your 94.80 flood risk score and your region's hurricane exposure. Verify your homeowners policy covers wind damage from storms, and consider a separate flood policy to protect against the region's most probable hazards.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    95th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    86th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard risk in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 92th. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 95th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 95th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. The county's secondary flood risk at the 95th percentile nationally means Greater Bridgeport Planning Region faces compounding hazards — inland flooding often follows landfalling hurricanes even well away from the coast. For Greater Bridgeport Planning Region households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's composite risk score is within 4.1 points of the Connecticut county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 92th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (95th percentile), flooding (95th percentile), earthquake (86th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 95th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Greater Bridgeport Planning Region risk compare to the Connecticut average?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's composite risk percentile is 92th, compared to the Connecticut state average of 88th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Greater Bridgeport Planning Region faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Connecticut.
Is Greater Bridgeport Planning Region at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's hurricane risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is at the 95th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Greater Bridgeport Planning Region higher risk than average?
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's composite risk score of 92th percentile is above the Connecticut state average of 88th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (95th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.