Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Burke 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, Burke gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Burke 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 Burke’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burke, and Burke’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burke’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $577K a year in losses across Burke: $479K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burke flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burke, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Burke isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caledonia County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burke
Disasters that paid out in Burke itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Burke), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Burke for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Burke for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Burke for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Burke for repairs
Caledonia County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Burke after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burke archive →Burke and its neighbors
Burke has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lyndon | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Sutton | — | 790 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kirby | — | 756 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| East Haven | — | 225 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Newark | — | 727 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Victory | — | 53 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 Burke 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Burke
Is Burke at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burke has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Burke flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Burke since 2024, $15K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Burke 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 Caledonia County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Burke?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burke’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 Burke?
By FEMA money that reached Burke, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $16K to the Town of Burke for repairs.
Is Burke at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Burke’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burke.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burke’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.