Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fairlee than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairlee gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Fairlee 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 Fairlee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairlee, and Fairlee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fairlee’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $473K a year in losses across Fairlee: $410K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairlee flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Fairlee. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Fairlee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairlee
Disasters that paid out in Fairlee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fairlee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Orange County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Fairlee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairlee archive →Fairlee and its neighbors
Fairlee is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fairlee | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Orford | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| West Fairlee | — | 711 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 Fairlee 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 Fairlee
Is Fairlee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairlee has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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.
Is Fairlee 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 Orange County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fairlee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairlee’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 Fairlee?
By FEMA money that reached Fairlee, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Fairlee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Fairlee’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairlee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairlee’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.