Photo: Fancy-cats-are-happy-cats · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Shelburne than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelburne gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #11 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
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 Shelburne 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 Shelburne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shelburne, and Shelburne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
A #11 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shelburne’s residents live in 2 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, Shelburne has less expected damage per building than 86% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Shelburne: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shelburne flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shelburne, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Shelburne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chittenden County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shelburne
Disasters that paid out in Shelburne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shelburne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides18 households applied for aid$129K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$21K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene5 households applied for aid$785 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$40K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Shelburne for repairs
Chittenden County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Shelburne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shelburne archive →Shelburne and its neighbors
Shelburne is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Burlington | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hinesburg | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Shelburne | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Charlotte | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Willsboro | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| St. George | — | 812 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 Shelburne 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 Shelburne
Is Shelburne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shelburne has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #11 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shelburne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Shelburne since 1979, $119K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Shelburne 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 Chittenden County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shelburne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shelburne’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 Shelburne?
By FEMA money that reached Shelburne, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 18 households applied for aid, $129K approved.
Is Shelburne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Shelburne’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shelburne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shelburne’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.