Middlesex-Winooski River Bridge · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Moretown faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moretown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1982.
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 Moretown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Moretown 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 Moretown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Moretown, and Moretown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Moretown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $861K a year in losses across Moretown: $711K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Moretown flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Moretown, from FEMA’s records: 45.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene18 claims · $2.3M
- The Vermont/New York Flooding5 claims · $185K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Moretown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Moretown
Disasters that paid out in Moretown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Moretown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides106 households applied for aid$703K aid approved$4.3M to the Town of Moretown for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides9 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$4.7M to the Town of Moretown for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene88 households applied for aid$487K aid approved$2.1M to the Town of Moretown for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$439 aid approved$23K to the Town of Moretown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$217K to the Town of Moretown for repairs
Washington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Moretown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Moretown archive →Moretown and its neighbors
Moretown is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Fayston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Berlin | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Waitsfield | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Waterbury | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Northfield | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Duxbury | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Moretown | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 Moretown 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 Moretown
Is Moretown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Moretown has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Moretown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Moretown since 1982, $3.5M in all, or 45.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (18).
Is Moretown 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 Moretown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Moretown’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 Moretown?
By FEMA money that reached Moretown, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 106 households applied for aid, $703K approved, and $4.3M to the Town of Moretown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 18 paid, $2.3M.
Is Moretown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Moretown’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Moretown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Moretown’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.