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–Not graded
Natural hazards in Montpelier · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Montpelier

Montpelier isn’t graded for hazard risk: Montpelier has 206 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.

Flood claims
2
paid since 2016 · $209K
Disasters paid out here
5
of 28 declared for St. Helena Parish
By hazard

What Montpelier 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

65%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 6 years in the area

Hurricanes

23%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 5 years in the area

Tornadoes

7%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 7 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Hail Earthquakes Wildfire Strong wind Ice storms Cold waves top 3% Lightning Winter storms Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts drought at 20% of Montpelier’s expected losses. Drought does little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Montpelier flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montpelier, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
2016: 2 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims2016
20162026
Biggest named events
  • The Mid-summer severe storms2 claims · $209K
2
paid claims since 2016
$209K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$105K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Montpelier isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: St. Helena Parish.
Disasters

5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montpelier

Disasters that paid out in Montpelier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Montpelier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2021Hurricane Ida39 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$13K to the Village of Montpelier for repairs
  2. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$95K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
  3. 2012Hurricane Isaac9 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$6K to the Village of Montpelier for repairs
  4. 2008Hurricane Gustav9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
  5. 2005Hurricane Katrina34 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$18K to the Village of Montpelier for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in MontpelierSt. Helena Parish only

St. Helena Parish has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.

Were you here?

Old photos of Montpelier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Montpelier archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Montpelier faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
  • Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
  • Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Montpelier

Does Montpelier flood?

Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Montpelier since 2016, $209K in all. The most claims came from Mid-summer severe storms (2).

Is Montpelier 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 St. Helena Parish, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Montpelier?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montpelier’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 Montpelier?

By FEMA money that reached Montpelier, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 18 households applied for aid, $95K approved. By flood claims, Mid-summer severe storms: 2 paid, $209K.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montpelier.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montpelier’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.