Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, New York, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Starksboro than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Starksboro gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2015.
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 Starksboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Starksboro 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 Starksboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Starksboro, and Starksboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Starksboro’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $526K a year in losses across Starksboro: $430K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Starksboro flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Starksboro, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Starksboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Addison County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Starksboro
Disasters that paid out in Starksboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Starksboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides53 households applied for aid$374K aid approved$888K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$618K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storm and Flooding$263K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$55K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene1 households applied for aid$15K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$72K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Snow$4K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs
Addison County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Starksboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Starksboro archive →Starksboro and its neighbors
Starksboro is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinesburg | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Monkton | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Starksboro | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bristol | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lincoln | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Huntington | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Starksboro 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 Starksboro
Is Starksboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Starksboro has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 Starksboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Starksboro since 2015, $40K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Starksboro 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 Addison County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Starksboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Starksboro’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 Starksboro?
By FEMA money that reached Starksboro, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 53 households applied for aid, $374K approved, and $888K to the Town of Starksboro for repairs.
Is Starksboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Starksboro’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Starksboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Starksboro’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.