Cold Wave Risk in Vermont
All Vermont counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index cold wave score
Cold Wave risk — prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures — is rated for 14 of 14 Vermont counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Bennington County carries the state's highest cold wave score at 83.4, with $5M in expected annual cold wave losses.
No Vermont county reaches the High band for cold wave, and expected annual losses from cold wave total roughly $18M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Cold Wave
| # | County | Cold Wave Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington County | Medium | 4.10 / yr | $5M | |
| 2 | Windham County | Medium | 3.82 / yr | $2M | |
| 3 | Rutland County | Low | 2.94 / yr | $2M | |
| 4 | Windsor County | Low | 3.06 / yr | $1M | |
| 5 | Caledonia County | Low | 4.84 / yr | $1M | |
| 6 | Chittenden County | Low | 3.47 / yr | $2M | |
| 7 | Orleans County | Low | 4.90 / yr | $893K | |
| 8 | Washington County | Low | 4.26 / yr | $1M | |
| 9 | Addison County | Low | 3.24 / yr | $717K | |
| 10 | Franklin County | Low | 3.81 / yr | $651K | |
| 11 | Orange County | Low | 3.95 / yr | $555K | |
| 12 | Lamoille County | Low | 4.78 / yr | $563K | |
| 13 | Essex County | Low | 5.22 / yr | $383K | |
| 14 | Grand Isle County | Very Low | 3.05 / yr | $90K |
14 Vermont counties with measurable cold wave risk. See the national cold wave ranking or all Vermont counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Vermont county has the highest cold wave risk?
Bennington County has the highest FEMA cold wave risk score in Vermont at 83.4 (Medium), with $5M in expected annual losses and about 4.10 events per year.
How many Vermont counties face significant cold wave risk?
14 Vermont counties record measurable cold wave risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 0 of them are rated High or Very High.