riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Addison County Disaster Risk

Addison County, Vermont

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 14 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

48th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Addison County, Vermont

Addison ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 26.78 and a "Very Low" rating, Addison County sits comfortably below the national average for natural disaster risk. This score reflects relatively modest exposure to most hazard types across the county.

One of Vermont's safest counties

Addison County's risk profile ranks favorably within Vermont, well below the state average composite score of 36.44. Among the eight Vermont counties analyzed, it remains in the lower-risk tier.

Comparable risk to nearby Orange County

Addison's overall risk level mirrors patterns seen in other rural Vermont counties like Lamoille and Franklin, which also score in the "Very Low" range. The county's flood risk (47.71) edges slightly higher than its peers, reflecting its position in the Champlain Valley.

Hurricanes and earthquakes pose most risk

Addison's highest hazard scores come from hurricane risk (67.46) and earthquake risk (55.79), typical for western Vermont's proximity to seismic zones and Atlantic storm tracks. Flood risk (47.71) rounds out the top concerns, particularly in low-lying areas near Lake Champlain and the Otter Creek.

Consider flood and wind coverage today

While Addison County's overall risk remains low, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program protects against the county's most frequent water-related events. Homeowners should also ensure wind and hail coverage is adequate, especially in areas prone to lake-effect storms.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Addison County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    48th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Addison County

Risk Verdict

Addison County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 27th percentile nationally. Addison County residents can take confidence from a 27th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Addison County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (48th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), tornado (20th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Addison County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 67th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 56th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Addison County independent of hurricane season. Addison County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The Vermont county average exceeds Addison County's score by 9.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Addison County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Addison County, VT?
Addison County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Addison County?
Addison County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (67th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), flooding (48th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), tornado (20th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 67th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Addison County risk compare to the Vermont average?
Addison County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Addison County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Vermont.
Is Addison County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Addison County's hurricane risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Addison County is at the 48th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Addison County a safe place to live?
Addison County's composite risk score of 27th percentile is below the Vermont state average of 36th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 67th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Orange County

Vermont

-0.3

Very Low

26th percentile

Franklin County

Vermont

+2.4

Very Low

29th percentile

Caledonia County

Vermont

+3.4

Very Low

30th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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