FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Swanton than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swanton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Swanton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Swanton 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
Earthquakes
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 Swanton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Swanton, and Swanton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Swanton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $513K a year in losses across Swanton: $414K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Swanton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Swanton, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Swanton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Swanton
Disasters that paid out in Swanton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Swanton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$15K to the Village of Swanton for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$85K to the Village of Swanton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene4 households applied for aid$52 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding71 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$34K to the Village of Swanton for repairs
Franklin County has had 27 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Swanton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Swanton archive →Get ready for what Swanton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Swanton
Is Swanton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Swanton has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (8%). 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 Swanton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Swanton since 2011, $27K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Swanton 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Swanton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Swanton’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 Swanton?
By FEMA money that reached Swanton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 71 households applied for aid, $101K approved, and $34K to the Village of Swanton for repairs.
Is Swanton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Swanton’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Swanton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Swanton’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.