Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Pownal as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pownal gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #50 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1981.
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 Pownal 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
Hurricanes
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 Pownal’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pownal, and Pownal’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #50 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pownal’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, Pownal has more expected damage per building than 70% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Pownal: $992K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pownal flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pownal, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $59K
Pownal isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bennington County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pownal
Disasters that paid out in Pownal itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pownal), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene20 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$44K to the Town of Pownal for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $59K
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$758 to the Town of Pownal for repairs
- 2001Snow$3K to the Town of Pownal for repairs
Bennington County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms.
Old photos of Pownal after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pownal archive →Pownal and its neighbors
Pownal has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pownal | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Bennington | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Petersburgh | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Stamford | — | 963 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Woodford | — | 282 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 Pownal 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Pownal
Is Pownal at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pownal has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #50 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Pownal flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Pownal since 1981, $61K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Pownal 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 Bennington County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pownal?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pownal’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 Pownal?
By FEMA money that reached Pownal, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 20 households applied for aid, $52K approved, and $44K to the Town of Pownal for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $59K.
Is Pownal at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Pownal’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pownal.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pownal’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.