Caledonia County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 30th
Caledonia County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 30.2, 30th 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
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Caledonia County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 30.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 30th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $15K in expected annual loss and about 1.10 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $740K in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $106K in expected annual loss and about 21.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Caledonia 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: Caledonia County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 12 for flood events and 12 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in September 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Caledonia County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.10 / yr | $15K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $740K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 21.06 / yr | $106K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.75 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.84 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.44 / yr | $86K |
| Lightning | Low | 20.82 / yr | $223K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $224K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $131 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $126K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.69 / yr | $237K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $74K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $21K |
| 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
Caledonia County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (12), Severe Storm (12), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby |
| 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 |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 31 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Caledonia County?
Caledonia County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 30.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 30th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Caledonia County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $15K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $740K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $106K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Caledonia County compare to other Vermont counties?
Caledonia County ranks #8 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Caledonia County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Caledonia County since 1973, most often 12 for flood events and 12 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in September 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. Caledonia County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.