Northfield Falls Covered Bridge · Photo: Steven Bergeron Srbergeron · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Northfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northfield gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #55 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 2011.
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 Northfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northfield 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 Northfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northfield, and Northfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #55 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northfield’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, Northfield has more expected damage per building than 77% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Northfield: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northfield flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northfield, from FEMA’s records: 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene26 claims · $1.2M
- The Vermont/New York Flooding6 claims · $56K
Northfield 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northfield
Disasters that paid out in Northfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Northfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$6K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides55 households applied for aid$263K aid approved$626K to the Town of Northfield for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$50K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$62K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene176 households applied for aid$880K aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Northfield for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
Show all 9
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$208K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$40K to the Town of Northfield for repairs
Washington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Northfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northfield archive →Northfield and its neighbors
Northfield is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Berlin | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Waitsfield | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Northfield | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| 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 Northfield 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 Northfield
Is Northfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northfield has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #55 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Northfield since 2011, $1.3M in all, or 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (26).
Is Northfield 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 Northfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northfield’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 Northfield?
By FEMA money that reached Northfield, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 176 households applied for aid, $880K approved, and $1.6M to the Town of Northfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 26 paid, $1.2M.
Is Northfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Northfield’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northfield’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.