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

Windham County Disaster Risk

Windham County, Vermont

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

57th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 14 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

71th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% 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 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Windham County, Vermont

Windham County faces elevated disaster risk

Windham County's composite risk score of 56.93 and "Relatively Low" rating exceed the national average substantially, reflecting significant exposure across multiple hazard types. The county's southern Vermont location subjects it to heightened hurricane and tornado risks.

Second-riskiest county in Vermont

Windham County's 56.93 score ranks it 56% above Vermont's state average of 36.44, making it the second-most hazardous county statewide. Only Windsor County (61.58) carries higher composite disaster risk in the state.

Riskier than most Vermont peers

Windham County's risk substantially exceeds Orange (26.43), Orleans (36.83), Rutland (50.48), and Washington (52.23) counties. Only Windsor County's 61.58 score surpasses Windham's exposure, making southern Vermont the state's highest-risk region.

Hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes dominate

Hurricane risk (74.55) and flood risk (71.28) represent Windham County's twin most serious threats, with tornado risk (40.01) emerging as a significant third concern. The county's southern exposure makes it particularly vulnerable to tropical storm systems and spring severe weather patterns.

Comprehensive multi-hazard insurance essential

Windham County residents need robust flood insurance, comprehensive hurricane coverage, and tornado-aware structural reinforcements to address the county's elevated risk portfolio. A professional home risk assessment, roof reinforcement, and safe room construction should be priority investments for disaster resilience.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Windham County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Windham County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Windham County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 57th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Windham County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Windham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 75th percentile nationally makes Windham County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Windham County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 71th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Windham County independent of hurricane season. Windham County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Windham County is 20.5 composite risk points above the Vermont average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Windham 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 Windham County, VT?
Windham County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 57th 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 Windham County?
Windham County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (75th percentile), flooding (71th percentile), earthquake (50th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 75th 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 Windham County risk compare to the Vermont average?
Windham County's composite risk percentile is 57th, compared to the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Windham County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Vermont.
Is Windham County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Windham County's hurricane risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Windham County is at the 71th 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 Windham County higher risk than average?
Windham County's composite risk score of 57th percentile is above the Vermont state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (75th percentile), along with flooding 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

Bennington County

Vermont

-4.6

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Windsor County

Vermont

+4.6

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Washington County

Vermont

-4.7

Relatively Low

52th 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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