riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Chittenden County Disaster Risk

Chittenden County, Vermont

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 14 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

76th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 66% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Chittenden County

Risk Verdict

Chittenden County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 64th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Chittenden County, scoring in the 77th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 76th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (66th), tornado (30th), wildfire (25th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Chittenden County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Chittenden County is significantly riskier than the average county in Vermont. Its composite risk score is 27.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Chittenden County, VT?
Chittenden County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Chittenden County?
Chittenden County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (77th percentile), flooding (76th percentile), hurricane (66th percentile), tornado (30th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 77th 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 Chittenden County risk compare to the Vermont average?
Chittenden County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Chittenden County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Vermont.
Is Chittenden County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Chittenden County's earthquake risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Chittenden County is at the 76th 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.
Why is Chittenden County higher risk than average?
Chittenden County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is above the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (77th percentile), along with flooding and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Windsor County

Vermont

-2.3

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Windham County

Vermont

-7.0

Relatively Low

57th percentile

Bennington County

Vermont

-11.6

Relatively Low

52th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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