Mount Philo State Park · Photo: LunchboxLarry · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Charlotte faces less hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlotte gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #17 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charlotte, and Charlotte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #17 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Charlotte’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Charlotte has less expected damage per building than 77% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Charlotte: $868K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charlotte flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charlotte, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Charlotte 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charlotte
Disasters that paid out in Charlotte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Charlotte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides129 households applied for aid$536K aid approved$121K to the Town of Charlotte for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides14 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$63K to the Town of Charlotte for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Charlotte for repairs
Chittenden County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Charlotte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charlotte archive →Charlotte and its neighbors
Charlotte is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelburne | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hinesburg | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Charlotte | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Ferrisburgh | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Monkton | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Willsboro | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Essex | — | 710 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
Is Charlotte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charlotte has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #17 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). 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 Charlotte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Charlotte since 1993, $135K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Charlotte 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 Charlotte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Charlotte’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 Charlotte?
By FEMA money that reached Charlotte, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 129 households applied for aid, $536K approved, and $121K to the Town of Charlotte for repairs.
Is Charlotte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Charlotte’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charlotte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charlotte’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.