Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Winooski than in 60% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winooski gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #59 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
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 Winooski 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 Winooski’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winooski, and Winooski’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #59 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winooski’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Winooski has more expected damage per building than 83% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Winooski: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winooski flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winooski, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Winooski isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chittenden County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winooski
Disasters that paid out in Winooski itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winooski), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$625 aid approved
- 2001Snow$9K to the City of Winooski for repairs
Chittenden County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Winooski after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winooski archive →Winooski and its neighbors
Winooski is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Burlington | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Colchester | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Winooski | C+more damage than 60% | 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 Winooski 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 Winooski
Is Winooski at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winooski has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #59 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winooski flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Winooski since 2012, $16K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Winooski 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 Chittenden County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winooski?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winooski’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 Winooski?
By FEMA money that reached Winooski, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2023): 4 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Winooski at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Winooski’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winooski.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winooski’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.