Photo: User:Dismas · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hinesburg than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinesburg gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #11 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1996.
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 Hinesburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hinesburg 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 Hinesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hinesburg, and Hinesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts).
A #11 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hinesburg’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, Hinesburg has less expected damage per building than 86% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Hinesburg: $886K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hinesburg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hinesburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hinesburg 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hinesburg
Disasters that paid out in Hinesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hinesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides198 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$1.7M to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides35 households applied for aid$89K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$26K to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$70K to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$72K to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Storm$6K to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs
Chittenden County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Hinesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hinesburg archive →Hinesburg and its neighbors
Hinesburg is 2nd of the 5 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 |
| Monkton | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Starksboro | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| St. George | — | 812 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 Hinesburg 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hinesburg
Is Hinesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinesburg has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #11 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and earthquakes (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 Hinesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hinesburg since 1996, $3K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hinesburg 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 Hinesburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hinesburg’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 Hinesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Hinesburg, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 198 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $1.7M to the Town of Hinesburg for repairs.
Is Hinesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Hinesburg’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hinesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hinesburg’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.