Essex County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Essex County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.2, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Essex County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 3.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.88 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $172K 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 — $458 in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Essex County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Essex County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 15 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in September 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Essex County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.88 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $172K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $458 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.15 / yr | $66K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.22 / yr | $383K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $21K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $33K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 20.23 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $23K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $39K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.85 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Essex County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (15), Flood (8), 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 |
| April 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
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 Essex County?
Essex County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Essex County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $3K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $172K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $458 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Essex County compare to other Vermont counties?
Essex County ranks #13 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Essex County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Essex County since 1973, most often 15 for severe storm events and 8 for flood 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. Essex County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.