Addison County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Addison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.8, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Addison County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Addison County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $9K in expected annual loss and about 0.85 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $595K in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Addison County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Addison County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Addison County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.85 / yr | $9K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $595K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $474K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.73 / yr | $95K |
| Lightning | Low | 22.95 / yr | $345K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.32 / yr | $122K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.21 / yr | $8M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.19 / yr | $381K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.24 / yr | $717K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.94 / yr | $391K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $304K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.38 / yr | $63K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Addison County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (8), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby |
| October 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Addison County?
Addison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Addison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $9K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $595K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Addison County compare to other Vermont counties?
Addison County ranks #10 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Addison County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Addison County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in August 2024.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Addison County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.