Orleans County Disaster Risk
Orleans County, Vermont
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#7
of 14 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
61th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Orleans County, Vermont
Orleans County sits below national risk
Orleans County's composite risk score of 36.83 and "Very Low" rating indicate manageable disaster exposure compared to national averages. This northeastern Vermont county faces moderate hurricane risk but maintains well-below-average exposure to tornadoes and wildfires.
Second-safest county in Vermont
Orleans County's 36.83 score ranks it just above Orange County as Vermont's second-most protected county, slightly edging the state average of 36.44. The county's position reflects its relatively sheltered geography from the state's most consequential hazard types.
Safer than most regional peers
Orleans County's risk profile outperforms Washington County (52.23), Windsor County (61.58), and Windham County (56.93) by significant margins. Only Orange County (26.43) presents lower overall risk, making Orleans one of the state's most secure locations for disaster preparedness.
Flooding and hurricane season priorities
Flood risk (60.69) and hurricane risk (67.25) represent Orleans County's leading natural disaster threats. Earthquake risk registers at 46.69, while tornado and wildfire risks remain comparatively low at 11.10 and 18.89 respectively.
Flood and wind coverage essential
Residents should prioritize flood insurance and comprehensive wind coverage given Orleans County's elevated hurricane and flood exposure. Standard policies often exclude flood damage, making a separate National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy or private alternative critical for properties near waterways or in flood zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Orleans County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Orleans County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Orleans County ranks at the 37th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Orleans County's 37th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Orleans County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 61th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (47th percentile), wildfire (19th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 67th percentile nationally, Orleans County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 61th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Orleans County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Orleans County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
Orleans County sits within 0.4 composite points of the Vermont state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.
Is your household prepared for Orleans County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Orleans County, VT?
What types of natural hazards affect Orleans County?
How does Orleans County risk compare to the Vermont average?
Is Orleans County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Orleans County higher risk than average?
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.