Photo: Elipongo · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Vernon faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #148 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Vernon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vernon, and Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #148 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vernon’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Connecticut town has higher expected damage than 62% of U.S. towns; within the state, Vernon has more expected damage per building than 95% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Vernon: $10.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vernon flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Henri3 claims · $83K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$135K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$73K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$115K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$35K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$2.9M to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$107K to the Town of Vernon for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
Show all 12
- 2011Snowstorm$80K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2006Snow$73K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$57K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2003Snow$56K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
- 2003Snow$40K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
Old photos of Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vernon archive →Vernon and its neighbors
Vernon is 7th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Tolland | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| South Windsor | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Coventry | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Ellington | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Manchester | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Vernon | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Rockville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Vernon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Vernon
Is Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #148 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Vernon since 1978, $235K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Henri (3).
Is Vernon in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In the county, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vernon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Vernon, Severe Storm (2011): $2.9M to the Town of Vernon for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Henri: 3 paid, $83K.
Is Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Vernon’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vernon’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.