Connecticut lightning risk
South Central Connecticut Planning Region has the highest lightning risk in Connecticut, scoring 92.3 out of 100 — rated "Relatively High" by FEMA's National Risk Index.
| # | County | NRI score | Rating |
NOAA events 2016–2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 92.3 | Relatively High | 0 |
| 2 | Capitol Planning Region | 91.9 | Relatively High | 0 |
| 3 | Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 86.1 | Relatively High | 0 |
| 4 | Western Connecticut Planning Region | 78.9 | Relatively Moderate | 0 |
| 5 | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 75.5 | Relatively Moderate | 0 |
| 6 | Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 60 | Relatively Moderate | 0 |
| 7 | Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 59.4 | Relatively Moderate | 0 |
| 8 | Northwest Hills Planning Region | 47.9 | Relatively Low | 0 |
| 9 | Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 40.5 | Relatively Low | 0 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. Scores are 0–100 percentile rankings among all US counties. See the methodology page for definitions. Download the full CSV for all counties.
Lightning risk nationally:
Other hazard risks in Connecticut:
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest lightning risk county in Connecticut?
South Central Connecticut Planning Region, CT has the highest lightning risk in Connecticut, with a FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.3 out of 100 (rated "Relatively High").
What causes lightning risk in Connecticut?
Lightning risk reflects expected annual losses from cloud-to-ground strikes, which ignite building fires, damage electrical systems, and cause fatalities. Florida consistently leads the US in lightning density. High scores also appear across the Gulf Coast, Southeast, and central Plains, where afternoon convective storms are most frequent in summer months.