Photo: gplefka · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Arlington than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2011.
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 Arlington 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 Arlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arlington, and Arlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Arlington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Arlington: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arlington flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arlington, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $193K
Arlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bennington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arlington
Disasters that paid out in Arlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Arlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$17K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene62 households applied for aid$155K aid approved$180K to the Town of Arlington for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $193K
- 2001Snow$6K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Arlington for repairs
Bennington County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of Arlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arlington archive →Arlington and its neighbors
Arlington is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaftsbury | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sunderland | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Arlington | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Sandgate | — | 435 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 Arlington 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 Arlington
Is Arlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arlington has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Arlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Arlington since 2011, $193K in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Arlington 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 Bennington County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arlington’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 Arlington?
By FEMA money that reached Arlington, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 62 households applied for aid, $155K approved, and $180K to the Town of Arlington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $193K.
Is Arlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Arlington’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arlington’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.