Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Springfield faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #45 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1996.
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 Springfield 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 Springfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Springfield, and Springfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #45 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Springfield’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, Springfield has more expected damage per building than 63% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Springfield: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Springfield flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Springfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $12K
- The Vermont/New York Flooding1 claim · $16K
Springfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windsor County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Springfield
Disasters that paid out in Springfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Springfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$135K to the Town of Springfield for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides26 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$28K to the Town of Springfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$91K to the Town of Springfield for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Springfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$17K to the Town of Springfield for repairs
Windsor County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Springfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Springfield archive →Springfield and its neighbors
Springfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Weathersfield | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Charlestown | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Rockingham | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chester | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
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 Springfield 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 Springfield
Is Springfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Springfield has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #45 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Springfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Springfield since 1996, $29K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Springfield 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 Windsor County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Springfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Springfield’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 Springfield?
By FEMA money that reached Springfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 26 households applied for aid, $113K approved, and $28K to the Town of Springfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $12K.
Is Springfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Springfield’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Springfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Springfield’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.