Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Plainfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plainfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1984.
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 Plainfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Plainfield 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 Plainfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plainfield, and Plainfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Plainfield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $425K a year in losses across Plainfield: $346K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plainfield flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plainfield, from FEMA’s records: 35.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding6 claims · $451K
Plainfield 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plainfield
Disasters that paid out in Plainfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Plainfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides77 households applied for aid$760K aid approved$1.3M to the Town of Plainfield for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides112 households applied for aid$627K aid approved$232K to the Town of Plainfield for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$7K to the Town of Plainfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$23K to the Town of Plainfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$481K to the Town of Plainfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$85K to the Town of Plainfield for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Tropical Storm Floyd$34K to the Town of Plainfield for repairs
Washington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Plainfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plainfield archive →Plainfield and its neighbors
Plainfield is 3rd of the 3 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 |
| Marshfield | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Plainfield | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Groton | — | 967 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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield
Is Plainfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plainfield has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. 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 Plainfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Plainfield since 1984, $1.6M in all, or 35.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (6).
Is Plainfield 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 Plainfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plainfield’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 Plainfield?
By FEMA money that reached Plainfield, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 77 households applied for aid, $760K approved, and $1.3M to the Town of Plainfield for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 6 paid, $451K.
Is Plainfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Plainfield’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plainfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plainfield’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.