Key facts: New London and Groton
A coast that keeps getting hit
Storms came ashore here in 1938, 1954 and 1985, among others.[1][3] The 1938 hurricane crossed Long Island as a Category 3 before reaching New England, and it remains the regional benchmark.[3] Homes near the harbor should plan around surge as well as rain, because surge arrives fast and carries salt and sediment.
A closer look in New London
Damp crawl spaces under shoreline homes
Crawl spaces close to tidal water can stay damp for weeks after a storm. Fallen insulation holds moisture against floor framing, so it normally comes out before drying begins. Ask for readings on the joists themselves, since a dry-looking floor above can hide wet framing below.
Flood claims recorded in New London County
New London sits in New London County. FEMA publishes every National Flood Insurance Program claim with personal details removed, which gives a plain record of where water has reached insured buildings here.
| Measure | Count |
|---|---|
| Flood insurance claims on record | 2,155 |
| Year with the most claims | 2012 (678) |
| Largest named event | Hurricane Sandy (668) |
| Claims outside high-risk A and V zones | 28% |
| Claims on buildings built before 1975 | 77% |
County-wide counts of insured claims only. Uninsured losses, burst pipes and appliance leaks are not in this data.
What the New London claim record shows
For New London homes, the local precedents are the events behind the most New London County claims: Hurricane Sandy (668 claims), Not A Named Storm (366 claims) and March 2010 Nor'Easter (304 claims).
About 28% of claims with a recorded zone came from outside the high-risk A and V zones, so a moderate-risk label does not mean a New London home stays dry.
If your New London home is older, note that buildings from before 1975 make up 77% of county claims with a known build date. Many predate current flood maps, so inspect low outlets, ductwork and subfloors closely after any water event.
Federal disaster history for New London County
FEMA lists 30 federal declarations covering New London County. The most common types are hurricane (11), severe storm (9) and snowstorm (7). The latest are Severe Storms, Flooding, and A Potential Dam Breach in 2024, Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021 and Hurricane Henri in 2021. Federal aid can open after a declaration, so New London owners should look it up before discarding damaged items.
New London weather and your home
Weather records for New London from 2015 through 2024 average 54 inches of precipitation a year, and December and October are the wettest months. The area averages 13.5 days a year with an inch or more.
New London falls to 20°F or below on about 21 nights a year, which puts pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and garages at risk.
When rain falls in New London
Seasonal averages for New London, 2015 through 2024. Plan roof, gutter and sump pump checks before the wettest stretch.
| Season | Average | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | 13.1 in | 24% |
| April to June | 12.9 in | 24% |
| July to September | 13.4 in | 25% |
| October to December | 14.3 in | 27% |
Modeled from Open-Meteo historical weather data. Precipitation includes rain and melted snow.
New London home checklist from these records
- Don't rely on recent quiet years. Only 5% of New London County claims date from 2015 or later, so older floods still show what can happen.
- Insulate exposed pipes before 21-plus hard-freeze nights arrive, and know your main shutoff.
- Test any sump pump before December, since New London averages 14 days a year with an inch or more.
- Keep dated photos of each room. After Hurricane Sandy, 668 insured New London County owners filed claims at about the same time.
What to tell the New London contractor
- Whether salt water or rain got inside
- Whether you have a basement or a crawl space
- If you are in New London, Groton or a nearby town
Services New London and Groton callers ask about
Questions
New London and Groton water damage questions
Does salt water change the cleanup?
Yes. Salt draws moisture and corrodes metal, so surfaces are usually rinsed with clean water before drying, and wiring it reached should be checked by an electrician.
Is flood covered by home insurance in Groton?
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood, which needs a separate policy.[4] Confirm yours before assuming.