Orleans County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Orleans County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.8, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Orleans County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 36.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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 — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $137K in expected annual loss and about 22.54 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $467K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $12M in expected annual loss for a population of 27K.
Beyond physical exposure, Orleans 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Orleans County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 16 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (flood), declared in September 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Orleans County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.81 / yr | $8K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 22.54 / yr | $137K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $467K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.75 / yr | $9M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $681 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.27 / yr | $83K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.90 / yr | $893K |
| Lightning | Low | 21.50 / yr | $216K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $236K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $102K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.52 / yr | $215K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $81K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $16K |
| 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
Orleans County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in September 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (16), Flood (9), 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 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Orleans County?
Orleans County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Orleans County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $8K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $137K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $467K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Orleans County compare to other Vermont counties?
Orleans County ranks #7 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Orleans County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Orleans County since 1973, most often 16 for severe storm events and 9 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. Orleans County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.