Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Norwich than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwich gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #63 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2006.
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 Norwich 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 Norwich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norwich, and Norwich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C #63 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Norwich’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Norwich has more expected damage per building than 89% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Norwich: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norwich flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norwich, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Norwich isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windsor County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norwich
Disasters that paid out in Norwich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Norwich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Norwich for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$2.5M to the Town of Norwich for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Norwich for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$37K to the Town of Norwich for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Norwich for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Norwich for repairs
Windsor County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Norwich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norwich archive →Norwich and its neighbors
Norwich is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Hanover | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Thetford | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sharon | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Norwich | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lebanon | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Lyme | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Norwich 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 Norwich
Is Norwich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwich has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #63 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Norwich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Norwich since 2006, $36K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Norwich 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 Windsor County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Norwich?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norwich’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 Norwich?
By FEMA money that reached Norwich, Severe Storms and Flooding (2017): $2.5M to the Town of Norwich for repairs.
Is Norwich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Norwich’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norwich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norwich’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.