Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFEMA puts Burlington’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #29 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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
Earthquakes
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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #29 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington’s residents live in 11 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, Burlington has less expected damage per building than 60% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Burlington: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding1 claim · $3K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Burlington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chittenden 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.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Burlington for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$150K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene27 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$15K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$162K aid approved$782K to the City of Burlington for repairs
- 2001Snow$28K to the City of Burlington for repairs
Chittenden County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
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 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Burlington | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Colchester | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Winooski | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #29 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Burlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Burlington since 1979, $145K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (1).
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 Chittenden County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington’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 Burlington?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 44 households applied for aid, $52K approved, and $1.5M to the City of Burlington for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Burlington’s rate for it is higher than 56% 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.