FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Barre than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barre gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hail (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Barre 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Barre’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barre, and Barre’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Barre’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $598K a year in losses across Barre: $294K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barre flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Barre. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Barre isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: La Crosse County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barre
Disasters that paid out in Barre itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Barre), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mud$44K to the Town of Barre for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$55K to the Town of Barre for repairs
La Crosse County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Barre after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barre archive →Barre and its neighbors
Barre 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medary | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Barre | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hamilton | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Greenfield | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bangor | — | 527 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 Barre 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Barre
Is Barre at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barre has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Barre 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 La Crosse County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Barre?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barre’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 Barre?
By FEMA money that reached Barre, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $55K to the Town of Barre for repairs.
Is Barre at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Barre’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barre.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barre’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.