Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Wells as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wells gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Wells 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 Wells’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wells, and Wells’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wells’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $410K a year in losses across Wells: $315K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wells flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wells, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wells isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rutland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wells
Disasters that paid out in Wells itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wells), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$73K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms and Flooding$126K to the Town of Wells for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$12K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the Town of Wells for repairs
Rutland County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Wells after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wells archive →Wells and its neighbors
Wells 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poultney | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wells | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Granville | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pawlet | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Middletown Springs | — | 747 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Tinmouth | — | 827 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 Wells 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 Wells
Is Wells at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wells has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 Wells flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wells since 2017, $7K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wells 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 Rutland County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wells?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wells’ 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 Wells?
By FEMA money that reached Wells, Severe Storms and Flooding (2017): $126K to the Town of Wells for repairs.
Is Wells at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Wells’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wells.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wells’ 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.