Windsor County, Vermont Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VT
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 62th
Windsor County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 61.6, 62th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Windsor County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 61.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 62nd 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 Medium risk — $67K in expected annual loss and about 2.06 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $19M in expected annual loss and about 1.36 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $187K in expected annual loss and about 20.33 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $25M in expected annual loss for a population of 58K.
Beyond physical exposure, Windsor 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: Windsor County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 11 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Tropical Depression Debby (tropical storm), declared in August 2024.
Among 14 Vermont counties, Windsor County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.06 / yr | $67K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $19M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.33 / yr | $187K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.05 / yr | $880K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $256K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 21.10 / yr | $483K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.06 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $380K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.04 / yr | $403K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $585K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.82 / yr | $107K |
| 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
Windsor County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Tropical Depression Debby in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (9), 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 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Windsor County?
Windsor County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 61.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 62th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Windsor County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $67K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $19M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $187K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Windsor County compare to other Vermont counties?
Windsor County ranks #2 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Windsor County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Windsor County since 1969, most often 11 for severe storm events and 9 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. Windsor County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.