Photo: Jessamyn West · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Hartland than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #33 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Hartland 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 Hartland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartland, and Hartland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #33 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hartland’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, Hartland has less expected damage per building than 54% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $947K a year in losses across Hartland: $697K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartland flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hartland, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $2K
Hartland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windsor County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hartland
Disasters that paid out in Hartland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hartland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$115K to the Town of Hartland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$153K to the Town of Hartland for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$71K to the Town of Hartland for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$187K to the Town of Hartland for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene29 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$156K to the Town of Hartland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2001Snow$4K to the Town of Hartland for repairs
Windsor County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Hartland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartland archive →Hartland and its neighbors
Hartland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartland | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hartford | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| West Windsor | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Windsor | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Woodstock | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Plainfield | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lebanon | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| North Hartland | — | 322 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 Hartland 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 Hartland
Is Hartland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartland has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #33 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) 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 Hartland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hartland since 2011, $7K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Hartland 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 Windsor County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hartland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartland’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 Hartland?
By FEMA money that reached Hartland, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 29 households applied for aid, $80K approved, and $156K to the Town of Hartland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Hartland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Hartland’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartland’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.