Photo: Jared and Corin · CC BY-SA 2.0Storms, floods and disasters in Vershire
Vershire isn’t graded for hazard risk: Vershire has 842 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
What Vershire 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.
Does Vershire flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vershire, from FEMA’s records.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding1 claim · $4K
Vershire isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vershire
Disasters that paid out in Vershire itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vershire), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides26 households applied for aid$144K aid approved$1.8M to the Town of Vershire for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene14 households applied for aid$80K aid approved$114K to the Town of Vershire for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Vershire for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Vershire for repairs
Orange County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Vershire after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vershire archive →Vershire and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Vershire 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 Vershire
Does Vershire flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Vershire since 2023, $4K in all. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (1).
Is Vershire 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 Orange County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Vershire?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vershire’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 Vershire?
By FEMA money that reached Vershire, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 26 households applied for aid, $144K approved, and $1.8M to the Town of Vershire for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 1 paid, $4K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vershire.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vershire’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.