Lightning Risk in Vermont
All Vermont counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index lightning score
Lightning risk — electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties — is rated for 14 of 14 Vermont counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Chittenden County carries the state's highest lightning score at 82.8, with $1M in expected annual lightning losses.
1 Vermont county is rated High or Very High for lightning, and expected annual losses from lightning total roughly $6M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Lightning
| # | County | Lightning Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chittenden County | High | 23.00 / yr | $1M | |
| 2 | Washington County | Medium | 21.83 / yr | $680K | |
| 3 | Windsor County | Medium | 21.10 / yr | $483K | |
| 4 | Franklin County | Medium | 22.67 / yr | $588K | |
| 5 | Rutland County | Medium | 22.94 / yr | $469K | |
| 6 | Orange County | Medium | 20.36 / yr | $506K | |
| 7 | Windham County | Medium | 22.92 / yr | $369K | |
| 8 | Addison County | Low | 22.95 / yr | $345K | |
| 9 | Bennington County | Low | 24.16 / yr | $283K | |
| 10 | Orleans County | Low | 21.50 / yr | $216K | |
| 11 | Caledonia County | Low | 20.82 / yr | $223K | |
| 12 | Lamoille County | Low | 23.00 / yr | $245K | |
| 13 | Grand Isle County | Very Low | 22.47 / yr | $144K | |
| 14 | Essex County | Very Low | 20.23 / yr | $44K |
14 Vermont counties with measurable lightning risk. See the national lightning ranking or all Vermont counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Vermont county has the highest lightning risk?
Chittenden County has the highest FEMA lightning risk score in Vermont at 82.8 (High), with $1M in expected annual losses and about 23.00 events per year.
How many Vermont counties face significant lightning risk?
14 Vermont counties record measurable lightning risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 1 of them are rated High or Very High.