Photo: Jared and Corin · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Vernon as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). 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 Vernon 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 Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vernon, and Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Vernon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $844K a year in losses across Vernon: $652K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vernon flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windham County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene7 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$10K to the Town of Vernon for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2001Snow$4K to the Town of Vernon for repairs
Windham County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vernon archive →Vernon and its neighbors
Vernon is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Vernon | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brattleboro | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Hinsdale | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Vernon 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 Vernon
Is Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Vernon since 2011, $6K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Vernon 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 Windham County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vernon’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 Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Vernon, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $23K approved, and $10K to the Town of Vernon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Vernon’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vernon’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.