Chaffee-Moloney Houses · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Rutland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rutland gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #10 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 103 claims here since 1980.
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 Rutland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rutland 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 Rutland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rutland, and Rutland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #10 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rutland’s residents live in 4 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, Rutland has less expected damage per building than 87% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Rutland: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rutland flood? Yes: 103 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rutland, from FEMA’s records: 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene54 claims · $799K
- The Vermont/New York Flooding12 claims · $212K
Rutland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rutland County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rutland
Disasters that paid out in Rutland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rutland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides122 households applied for aid$408K aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene362 households applied for aid$633K aid approved$935K to the City of Rutland for repairs54 flood claims paid for it, $799K
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$274K to the City of Rutland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Snow$19K to the City of Rutland for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the City of Rutland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Rutland County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Rutland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rutland archive →Get ready for what Rutland 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 Rutland
Is Rutland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rutland has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #10 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rutland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 103 claims in Rutland since 1980, $1.5M in all, or 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (54).
Is Rutland 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 Rutland County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rutland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rutland’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 Rutland?
By FEMA money that reached Rutland, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 362 households applied for aid, $633K approved, and $935K to the City of Rutland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 54 paid, $799K.
Is Rutland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Rutland’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rutland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rutland’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.