Storms, floods and disasters in Vermont
Vermont isn’t graded for hazard risk: Vermont has 979 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2008.
What Vermont 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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.
Does Vermont flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vermont, from FEMA’s records.
- The Storm1 claim · $5K
Vermont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dane County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Vermont
Disasters that paid out in Vermont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Vermont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of Vermont for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Vermont for repairs
- 2008Record Snow and Near Record Snow$3K to the Town of Vermont for repairs
- 2000Snow$2K to the Town of Vermont for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$13K to the Town of Vermont for repairs
Dane County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Vermont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vermont archive →Vermont and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Plains | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arena | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Blue Mounds | — | 931 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Black Earth | — | 428 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 Vermont 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Vermont
Does Vermont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Vermont since 2008, $7K in all. The most claims came from Storm (1).
Is Vermont 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 Dane County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Vermont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vermont’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 Vermont?
By FEMA money that reached Vermont, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $26K to the Town of Vermont for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 1 paid, $5K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vermont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vermont’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.