Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Stowe than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stowe gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #43 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1984.
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 Stowe 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 Stowe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stowe, and Stowe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #43 of 71 in Vermont; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stowe’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Stowe has more expected damage per building than 60% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Stowe: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stowe flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stowe, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $4K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Stowe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lamoille County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stowe
Disasters that paid out in Stowe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stowe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$1.5M to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides55 households applied for aid$274K aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$56K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides22 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$44K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 2019Severe Storm and Flooding$153K to the Town of Stowe for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$123K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene19 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$302K to the Town of Stowe for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $4K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$421K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
- 1999Tropical Storm Floyd$24K to the Town of Stowe for repairs
Lamoille County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Stowe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stowe archive →Stowe and its neighbors
Stowe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Underhill | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Stowe | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Waterbury | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 64 |
| Cambridge | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Worcester | — | 831 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 Stowe 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 Stowe
Is Stowe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stowe has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #43 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Stowe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Stowe since 1984, $141K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Stowe 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 Lamoille County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Stowe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stowe’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 Stowe?
By FEMA money that reached Stowe, Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 55 households applied for aid, $274K approved, and $1.6M to the Town of Stowe for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Stowe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Stowe’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stowe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stowe’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.