Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Burlington than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Burlington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Burlington 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
Hail
Winter storms
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); winter storms is FEMA’s “Winter Weather” (snow, sleet and freezing rain). 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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burlington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $962K a year in losses across Burlington: $443K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington, from FEMA’s records: 49.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms16 claims · $1.7M
Burlington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ward County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington
Disasters that paid out in Burlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Burlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$96K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Flooding342 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Burlington for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding29 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$20K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storm and Record And/or Near Record Snow$4K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$12K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor$129K to the City of Burlington for repairs
Ward County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Burlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington archive →Burlington and its neighbors
Burlington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Burlington | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Burlington Township | — | 240 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kirkelie Township | — | 344 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 Burlington 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- 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.
- Burlington residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (10%). 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 Burlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Burlington since 1979, $2.0M in all, or 49.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late spring storms (16).
Is Burlington 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 Ward County, 4.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
Burlington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Burlington?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington, Flooding (2011): 342 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Burlington for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 16 paid, $1.7M.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Burlington’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington’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.