Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bennington as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bennington gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #53 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). 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 Bennington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bennington 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
Hurricanes
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 Bennington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bennington, and Bennington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #53 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bennington’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bennington has more expected damage per building than 74% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Bennington: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bennington flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bennington, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $141K
Bennington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bennington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bennington
Disasters that paid out in Bennington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bennington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$71K to the Town of Bennington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene115 households applied for aid$190K aid approved$3.7M to the Town of Bennington for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $141K
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the Town of Bennington for repairs
- 2001Snow$29K to the Town of Bennington for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to the Town of Bennington for repairs
Bennington County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of Bennington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bennington archive →Bennington and its neighbors
Bennington is 3rd of the 5 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 |
| Pownal | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Bennington | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Hoosick | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Petersburgh | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Woodford | — | 282 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 Bennington 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bennington 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 Bennington
Is Bennington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bennington has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #53 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bennington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Bennington since 1979, $164K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is Bennington 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 Bennington?
Bennington 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 Bennington?
By FEMA money that reached Bennington, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 115 households applied for aid, $190K approved, and $3.7M to the Town of Bennington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $141K.
Is Bennington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Bennington’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bennington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bennington’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.