Equinox House · Photo: Rolf Müller (User:Rolfmueller) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Manchester faces less hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #35 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1995.
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 Manchester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manchester 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 Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester, and Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #35 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manchester’s residents live in 2 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, Manchester has less expected damage per building than 51% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Manchester: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $195K
- The Vermont/New York Flooding3 claims · $36K
Manchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bennington County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester
Disasters that paid out in Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$47K to the Town of Manchester for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$976K to the Town of Manchester for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Manchester for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$179K to the Town of Manchester for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $195K
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Manchester for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
Bennington County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester archive →Manchester and its neighbors
Manchester is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winhall | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dorset | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Manchester | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Sunderland | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sandgate | — | 435 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 Manchester 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 Manchester
Is Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #35 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Manchester since 1995, $569K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is Manchester 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 Bennington County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester’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 Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester, Severe Storm and Flooding (2021): $976K to the Town of Manchester for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $195K.
Is Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Manchester’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester’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.