Benjamin Schenck Mansion · Photo: Josh South · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Vevay faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vevay gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Vevay 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
Tornadoes
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 Vevay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vevay, and Vevay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 15%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Vevay’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Vevay: $623K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vevay flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vevay, from FEMA’s records: 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Vevay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Switzerland County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vevay
Disasters that paid out in Vevay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vevay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$44K to the Town of Vevay for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$151K to the Town of Vevay for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$80K to the Town of Vevay for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$6K to the Town of Vevay for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to the Town of Vevay for repairs
Switzerland County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Vevay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vevay archive →Vevay and its neighbors
Vevay is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vevay | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Craig Township | — | 529 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Vevay 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Vevay
Is Vevay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vevay has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vevay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Vevay since 1978, $109K in all, or 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Vevay 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 Switzerland County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vevay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vevay’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 Vevay?
By FEMA money that reached Vevay, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 10 households applied for aid, $62K approved, and $151K to the Town of Vevay for repairs.
Is Vevay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Vevay’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vevay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vevay’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.