Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Montpelier than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montpelier gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #64 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 283 claims here since 1978.
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 Montpelier’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What 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
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 Montpelier’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montpelier, and Montpelier’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #64 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Montpelier’s residents live in 4 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, Montpelier has more expected damage per building than 90% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Montpelier: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montpelier flood? Yes: 283 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montpelier, from FEMA’s records: 72.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding80 claims · $8.9M
- Hurricane Irene33 claims · $407K
- The December nor’easter10 claims · $120K
Montpelier is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Washington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montpelier
Disasters that paid out in Montpelier itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Montpelier), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides44 households applied for aid$410K aid approved$62K to the City of Montpelier for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides430 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$16.2M to the City of Montpelier for repairs90 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene122 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$9K to the City of Montpelier for repairs33 flood claims paid for it, $407K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$276K to the City of Montpelier for repairs
Washington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Montpelier after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montpelier archive →Montpelier and its neighbors
Montpelier is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Montpelier | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Middlesex | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Berlin | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Montpelier | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 283 |
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 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.
- 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.
- Montpelier residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Montpelier
Is Montpelier at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montpelier has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #64 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Montpelier flood?
Flood insurance has paid 283 claims in Montpelier since 1978, $12.3M in all, or 72.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (80).
Is 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 Montpelier?
Montpelier is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Montpelier?
By FEMA money that reached Montpelier, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 430 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $16.2M to the City of Montpelier for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 80 paid, $8.9M.
Is Montpelier at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Montpelier’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montpelier.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.