Photo: The original uploader was Mickmaguire at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Waitsfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waitsfield gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1998.
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 Waitsfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waitsfield 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 Waitsfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waitsfield, and Waitsfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Waitsfield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $836K a year in losses across Waitsfield: $711K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waitsfield flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waitsfield, from FEMA’s records: 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $823K
Waitsfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waitsfield
Disasters that paid out in Waitsfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Waitsfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides23 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$65K to the Town of Waitsfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene62 households applied for aid$163K aid approved$261K to the Town of Waitsfield for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $823K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$225 aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$192K to the Town of Waitsfield for repairs
Washington County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Waitsfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waitsfield archive →Waitsfield and its neighbors
Waitsfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Fayston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Waitsfield | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Northfield | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Moretown | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 Waitsfield 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 Waitsfield
Is Waitsfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waitsfield has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Waitsfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Waitsfield since 1998, $884K in all, or 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (19).
Is Waitsfield 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 Washington County, 38% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waitsfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waitsfield’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 Waitsfield?
By FEMA money that reached Waitsfield, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 62 households applied for aid, $163K approved, and $261K to the Town of Waitsfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 19 paid, $823K.
Is Waitsfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Waitsfield’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waitsfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waitsfield’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.