Press Release – March 23, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2026

(HARTFORD, CT) - From March 23 through March 27, Connecticut agencies are coming together to help residents prepare for one of the state's most common and costly natural disasters: flooding.

During Connecticut Flood Safety Awareness Week, the Connecticut Insurance Department (CID), Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), and Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) will share practical tips, tools, and resources to help individuals and families better understand their flood risk and take simple steps to protect what matters most.

Flooding can happen anywhere in Connecticut, and storms in recent years have brought more frequent and intense rainfall. Even a few inches of water can cause significant damage and create serious safety hazards.

"Flooding is not just a coastal issue, and it is not limited to properties in high-risk zones," said Insurance Commissioner Josh Hershman. "Many families are surprised after a storm to learn that a standard homeowners policy does not cover flood damage. I encourage residents to use CID's free climate risk mapping tool to better understand their property's potential exposure. Taking a few minutes now to review your coverage and understand your flood risk can make a big difference before the next storm."

"In recent years in Connecticut, as our climate has changed, we've experienced intense flooding events that have resulted in loss of life, significant damage to property and infrastructure costing in the hundreds of millions, and major disruptions to work and daily life, such as during the devastating flooding event in Western Connecticut in August 2024," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "These extreme precipitation events are expected to continue and increase in the future as the climate continues to change, and it is important for all Connecticut residents, in all parts of the state, to be aware of the flood risk where they live. DEEP has several programs in place to help municipalities and residents take proactive steps to navigate flooding, climate change, resilience, hazard mitigation, and risk management."

"Flooding preparedness is for everyone in Connecticut. While those who live on the coastline and near rivers may be more familiar with the risks, higher rainfall totals and increased storm frequency are leading to more frequent flash flooding events across the country. These flooding events result in the loss of life, property, and communities." DEMHS Director William Turner echoes previous sentiments about preparedness, "DEMHS works with our local, tribal, state, and federal partners to coordinate improvements to flood mitigation efforts to keep our communities safer when major flooding events occur. However, preparedness also falls to individuals. We can ensure our communities are resilient in the face of flooding disasters by helping out one another and keeping ourselves, our families, and neighbors safe. DEMHS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Weather Service (NWS) all offer services to help communities prepare for the threats Connecticut faces so that we can all be prepared now."

What Residents Can Do This Week

• Check your flood risk using the First Street Climate Risk Mapping Tool.
• Review your insurance coverage and ask your agent about flood insurance options.
• Sign up for CT Alert to receive emergency notifications.
• Create or update your household emergency plan.

Learn More

Together, CID, DEEP, and DESPP are committed to ensuring the well-being of Connecticut residents in the face of flood-related challenges.

Additional Flood Safety Resources

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Contact: Mary Quinn
Communications, Director, Connecticut Insurance Department
[email protected]
Cell: (959) 529-4904