Washington County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.2, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Washington County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 52.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 52nd 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 Medium risk — $366K in expected annual loss and about 1.54 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $275K in expected annual loss and about 22.05 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $680K in expected annual loss and about 21.83 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 60K.
Beyond physical exposure, Washington 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: Washington County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 14 for severe storm events and 13 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Washington County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.54 / yr | $366K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 22.05 / yr | $275K |
| Lightning | Medium | 21.83 / yr | $680K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.25 / yr | $18M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $601K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.74 / yr | $637K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $404K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.25 / yr | $114K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $537 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.26 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.88 / yr | $286K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $158K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.35 / yr | $49K |
| 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
Washington County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (14), Flood (13), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby |
| 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 |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 52th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $366K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $275K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $680K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Vermont counties?
Washington County ranks #5 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Washington County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Washington County since 1973, most often 14 for severe storm events and 13 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, 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. Washington County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.