Bennington County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Bennington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.3, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bennington County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 52.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 4.10 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $17K in expected annual loss and about 1.28 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $781K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bennington County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Bennington County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby (tropical storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Bennington County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.10 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.28 / yr | $17K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $781K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $12M |
| Lightning | Low | 24.16 / yr | $283K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.61 / yr | $95K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $233K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 24.41 / yr | $59K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.60 / yr | $120K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $124K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $282K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.36 / yr | $175K |
| 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
Bennington County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Tropical Depression Debby in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (7), Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2021 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bennington County?
Bennington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bennington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $17K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $781K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bennington County compare to other Vermont counties?
Bennington County ranks #4 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bennington County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Bennington County since 1973, most often 7 for flood events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby, 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. Bennington County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.