Photo: Fancy-cats-are-happy-cats · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Colchester faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colchester gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #4 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1982.
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 Colchester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Colchester 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 Colchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colchester, and Colchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A #4 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colchester’s residents live in 6 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, Colchester has less expected damage per building than 96% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Colchester: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colchester flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colchester, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Colchester is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chittenden County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colchester
Disasters that paid out in Colchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Colchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene14 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding165 households applied for aid$354K aid approved
Chittenden County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Colchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colchester archive →Colchester and its neighbors
Colchester is 2nd of the 9 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 |
| Essex | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Milton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| South Hero | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Winooski | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chesterfield | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Au Sable | Cmore damage than 74% | 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 Colchester 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.
- Colchester residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Colchester
Is Colchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colchester has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #4 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Colchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Colchester since 1982, $967K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Colchester 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 Colchester?
Colchester is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Colchester?
By FEMA money that reached Colchester, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 165 households applied for aid, $354K approved.
Is Colchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Colchester’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colchester’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.