Photo: Mfwills · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Richford than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richford gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Richford 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 Richford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richford, and Richford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Richford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $833K a year in losses across Richford: $733K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richford flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Richford. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Richford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richford
Disasters that paid out in Richford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Richford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$358K to the Town of Richford for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Richford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storms$51K to the Town of Richford for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene17 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$229K to the Town of Richford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storm$20K to the Town of Richford for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$142K to the Town of Richford for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$174K to the Town of Richford for repairs
Franklin County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Richford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richford archive →Richford and its neighbors
Richford is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Enosburgh | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Montgomery | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Richford | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Jay | — | 471 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 Richford 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 Richford
Is Richford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richford has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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.
Is Richford 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Richford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richford’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 Richford?
By FEMA money that reached Richford, Severe Storm and Flooding (2019): $358K to the Town of Richford for repairs.
Is Richford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Richford’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richford’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.