Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Windsor faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #56 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1979.
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 Windsor 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 Windsor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Windsor, and Windsor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #56 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Windsor’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Windsor has more expected damage per building than 79% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Windsor: $962K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Windsor flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Windsor, from FEMA’s records: 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $46K
Windsor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windsor County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Windsor
Disasters that paid out in Windsor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Windsor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides17 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$725K to the Town of Windsor for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene18 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$2.0M to the Town of Windsor for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $46K
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Windsor for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Windsor for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Windsor for repairs
Windsor County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Windsor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Windsor archive →Windsor and its neighbors
Windsor is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartland | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Weathersfield | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| West Windsor | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Windsor | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Cornish | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Windsor 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 Windsor
Is Windsor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Windsor has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #56 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Windsor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Windsor since 1979, $171K in all, or 9.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Windsor 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 Windsor County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Windsor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Windsor’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 Windsor?
By FEMA money that reached Windsor, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 18 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $2.0M to the Town of Windsor for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $46K.
Is Windsor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Windsor’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Windsor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Windsor’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.