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

Grand Isle County Disaster Risk

Grand Isle County, Vermont

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 14 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

13th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grand Isle County, Vermont

Grand Isle ranks among America's lowest

Grand Isle County's composite risk score of 1.91 represents one of the nation's safest natural hazard profiles, with a "Very Low" rating across all major categories. Its island setting in Lake Champlain provides exceptional geographic protection.

Vermont's second-safest county

Grand Isle County's score of 1.91 ranks second-lowest in Vermont, just above Essex County's 3.21, and represents less than 6% of the state average risk of 36.44. The county's limited mainland exposure drives this exceptional profile.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Grand Isle's risk score of 1.91 stands far below neighboring Chittenden County (63.90) and Addison County (26.78). Its island setting and smaller population create isolation that translates to measurably lower hazard exposure.

Hurricane risk poses minimal concern

Grand Isle County's highest hazard score—hurricane risk at 34.54—remains significantly below statewide norms and national averages. Earthquake risk (30.57) and flood risk (12.79) round out an exceptionally benign hazard environment.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Grand Isle County residents can typically rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized flood or wind coverage, making it one of Vermont's most affordable counties for disaster insurance. Standard annual reviews ensure adequate replacement values remain current.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grand Isle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    35th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    13th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Grand Isle County

Risk Verdict

Grand Isle County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 2th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Even at the 2th percentile, Grand Isle County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Grand Isle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 35th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (13th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Grand Isle County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 35th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 31th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Grand Isle County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Grand Isle County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

Compared to the Vermont county average, Grand Isle County's composite score runs 34.5 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle County, VT?
Grand Isle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Grand Isle County?
Grand Isle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (35th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile), flooding (13th percentile), tornado (5th percentile), wildfire (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 35th 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 Grand Isle County risk compare to the Vermont average?
Grand Isle County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grand Isle County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Vermont.
Is Grand Isle County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Grand Isle County's hurricane risk is at the 35th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Grand Isle County is at the 13th 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 Grand Isle County a safe place to live?
Grand Isle County's composite risk score of 2th 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 35th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Essex County

Vermont

+1.3

Very Low

3th percentile

Lamoille County

Vermont

+16.3

Very Low

18th percentile

Orange County

Vermont

+24.5

Very Low

26th 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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