Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts East Montpelier’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Montpelier gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #5 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2011.
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 East Montpelier 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 East Montpelier’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Montpelier, and East Montpelier’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #5 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Montpelier’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, East Montpelier has less expected damage per building than 94% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $538K a year in losses across East Montpelier: $374K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Montpelier flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Montpelier, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding3 claims · $371K
East Montpelier isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Montpelier
Disasters that paid out in East Montpelier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Montpelier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides47 households applied for aid$294K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene4 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
Washington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of East Montpelier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Montpelier archive →East Montpelier and its neighbors
East Montpelier has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Montpelier | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Calais | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Middlesex | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Plainfield | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Marshfield | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Berlin | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Montpelier | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
| Barre | — | not graded yet | |
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 East Montpelier 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 East Montpelier
Is East Montpelier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Montpelier has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #5 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (5%). 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 East Montpelier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in East Montpelier since 2011, $415K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (3).
Is East Montpelier 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 Washington County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Montpelier?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Montpelier’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 East Montpelier?
By FEMA money that reached East Montpelier, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 47 households applied for aid, $294K approved. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 3 paid, $371K.
Is East Montpelier at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and East Montpelier’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Montpelier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Montpelier’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.