Lamoille County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Lamoille County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.3, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Lamoille County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 18.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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 Lamoille County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $307K in expected annual loss and about 22.81 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $377K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lamoille 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Lamoille County has received 38 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 19 for severe storm events and 11 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in September 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Lamoille County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 22.81 / yr | $307K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.93 / yr | $14K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $377K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $244K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.24 / yr | $81K |
| Lightning | Low | 23.00 / yr | $245K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.78 / yr | $563K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $110K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.75 / yr | $244K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $99K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.14 / yr | $17K |
| 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
Lamoille County has received 38 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (19), Flood (11), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 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 38 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lamoille County?
Lamoille County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lamoille County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $307K EAL), Landslide (Low, $14K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $377K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lamoille County compare to other Vermont counties?
Lamoille County ranks #12 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lamoille County had?
FEMA records 38 federal disaster declarations for Lamoille County since 1973, most often 19 for severe storm events and 11 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, 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. Lamoille County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.