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

Lamoille County Disaster Risk

Lamoille County, Vermont

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 14 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lamoille County, Vermont

Lamoille ranks among America's safest

Lamoille County's composite risk score of 18.26 places it well below the national average with a "Very Low" rating. Its position in central Vermont's mountains provides natural protection from most major hazard types.

Fourth-safest county in Vermont

Lamoille County ranks fourth lowest statewide with a score of 18.26, substantially below Vermont's average of 36.44. Only Essex, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties register lower overall risk profiles in the state.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Lamoille's risk score of 18.26 stands notably below Chittenden County (63.90) to the northwest and Caledonia County (30.15) to the northeast. Its mountain setting creates buffering effects against multiple hazard types.

Hurricanes and floods are top concerns

Lamoille County's primary exposures come from hurricane risk (61.62) and flood risk (42.81), reflecting Atlantic weather systems and the Lamoille River valley's geography. Earthquake risk (40.49) presents a modest but manageable tertiary concern.

Flood insurance worth considering

Lamoille residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wind coverage for hurricane season. Flood insurance through the NFIP is advisable for properties in or near mapped flood zones along major river valleys.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lamoille County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    62th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    43th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    40th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lamoille County

Risk Verdict

Lamoille County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 18th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Lamoille County's favorable 18th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Lamoille County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 62th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 43th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (40th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Lamoille County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 62th 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. Flood at the 43th percentile nationally is Lamoille County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Lamoille 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 Lamoille County's score by 18.2 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Lamoille 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 Lamoille County, VT?
Lamoille County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Lamoille County?
Lamoille County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (62th percentile), flooding (43th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), wildfire (14th percentile), tornado (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 62th 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 Lamoille County risk compare to the Vermont average?
Lamoille County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lamoille County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Vermont.
Is Lamoille County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lamoille County's hurricane risk is at the 62th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Lamoille County is at the 43th 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 Lamoille County a safe place to live?
Lamoille County's composite risk score of 18th 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 62th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Orange County

Vermont

+8.2

Very Low

26th percentile

Addison County

Vermont

+8.5

Very Low

27th percentile

Franklin County

Vermont

+10.9

Very Low

29th 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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