Rutland County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Rutland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.5, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Rutland County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 50.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. 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 — $26K in expected annual loss and about 1.63 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $679K in expected annual loss and about 0.05 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $13M in expected annual loss and about 2.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 61K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rutland 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: Rutland County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby (tropical storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Rutland County ranks #6 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.63 / yr | $26K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $679K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.14 / yr | $13M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.94 / yr | $469K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $169K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.35 / yr | $110K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.94 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $472K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.99 / yr | $548K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.10 / yr | $690K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $121K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $437K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Rutland County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Tropical Depression Debby in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (7), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby |
| March 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| July 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| August 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rutland County?
Rutland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rutland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $26K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $679K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $13M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rutland County compare to other Vermont counties?
Rutland County ranks #6 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rutland County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Rutland County since 1973, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby, declared in August 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. Rutland County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.