Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in North Hero
North Hero isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to North Hero yet. Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1983.
What North Hero 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.
Does North Hero flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hero, from FEMA’s records.
North Hero isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grand Isle County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Hero
Disasters that paid out in North Hero itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Hero), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$37K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
Grand Isle County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of North Hero after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hero archive →North Hero and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swanton | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Grand Isle | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Alburgh | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Beekmantown | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| St. Albans | — | not graded yet | |
| Isle La Motte | — | 577 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 North Hero 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 North Hero
Does North Hero flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in North Hero since 1983, $592K in all.
Is North Hero 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 Grand Isle County, 1.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Hero?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Hero’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 North Hero?
By FEMA money that reached North Hero, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 52 households applied for aid, $37K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hero.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Hero’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.