Windham County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Windham County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.9, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Windham County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 56.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $33K in expected annual loss and about 1.64 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $987K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $262K in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 46K.
Beyond physical exposure, Windham 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 federal record bears this out: Windham County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby (tropical storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Windham County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.64 / yr | $33K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $987K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $262K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.89 / yr | $15M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.82 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.92 / yr | $369K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $288K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 23.35 / yr | $66K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $417 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $914K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.31 / yr | $221K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.58 / yr | $136K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.29 / yr | $230K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Windham County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Tropical Depression Debby in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (8), 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 |
| September 2021 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| August 2021 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Windham County?
Windham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Windham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $33K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $987K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $262K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Windham County compare to other Vermont counties?
Windham County ranks #3 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Windham County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Windham County since 1969, most often 8 for severe storm events and 8 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. Windham County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.