States › Vermont › Chittenden County
Chittenden County, Vermont
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 623 events for Chittenden County, Vermont, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 116.0 events per 100 square miles, in line with the Vermont figure of 119.4, and 36.9 per 10,000 residents against 170.5 statewide.
2 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 4 deaths and 8 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $31M and crop damage at $2.2M.
FEMA has designated the county in 32 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (major disaster, 20 Aug 2024).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 256 claims since 1978, of which 192 were paid, totalling $4.0M (about $21K per paid claim). FEMA counts 283 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Low" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively Low" ($40M a year across 18 hazards).
12 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 0 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with Vermont and the United States
| Measure | Chittenden County | Vermont | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 623 | 11,007 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 116.0 | 119.4 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 36.9 | 170.5 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 2 | 353 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 4 | 62 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $31M | $1.7B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 1.5 | 5.8 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $21K | $40K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 24.4 | 37.4 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 367 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 225 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | $25K | — | 2 | — | County |
| 11 Apr 2011 | Flood | Flood | — | $30K | — | 1 | — | County |
| 22 Feb 2003 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | $15K | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 24 Aug 1993 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 0 mph | $5K | — | — | 3 | County |
| 6 Jan 1998 | Ice Storm | Winter | — | $2.5M | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 5 Mar 2001 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | $100K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 10 Feb 2001 | High Wind | Wind | — | $50K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 4 Jan 2003 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | $40K | — | — | 1 | Forecast zone |
| 26 May 2010 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 28 Aug 2011 | Flood | Flood | — | $3.0M | $1.0M | — | — | County |
| 28 Aug 2011 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $2.0M | $1.0M | — | — | County |
| 8 Aug 1983 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $2.5M | — | — | — | County |
| 11 Aug 1998 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $2.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 23 May 2013 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $1.1M | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 1998 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 1 Jul 1998 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 6 Jul 2011 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 25 Jun 2013 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $1.0M | — | — | — | County |
| 26 Apr 2011 | Flood | Flood | — | $750K | — | — | — | County |
| 3 Jul 2013 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $750K | — | — | — | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug 2024 | DR-4810 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 8 Aug 2024 | EM-3609 | Emergency | Tropical Storm | Tropical Depression Debby | Public assistance |
| 19 Apr 2024 | DR-4770 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 14 Jul 2023 | DR-4720 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 10 Jul 2023 | EM-3595 | Emergency | Flood | Flooding | Public assistance |
| 20 Mar 2023 | DR-4695 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 22 Aug 2021 | EM-3567 | Emergency | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Henri | Public assistance |
| 8 Apr 2020 | DR-4532 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3437 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 17 Jan 2020 | DR-4474 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 30 Jul 2018 | DR-4380 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 2 Jan 2018 | DR-4356 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 29 Jul 2015 | DR-4232 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 3 Feb 2015 | DR-4207 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm | Public assistance |
| 29 Jan 2014 | DR-4163 | Major disaster | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms | Public assistance |
| 2 Aug 2013 | DR-4140 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 13 Jun 2013 | DR-4120 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 1 Sep 2011 | DR-4022 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 29 Aug 2011 | EM-3338 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 15 Jun 2011 | DR-1995 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 22 Dec 2010 | DR-1951 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Public assistance |
| 23 Sep 2004 | DR-1559 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 10 Apr 2001 | EM-3167 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 30 Jun 1998 | DR-1228 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 15 Jan 1998 | DR-1201 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Ice Storms, Rain, High Winds And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Feb 1996 | DR-1101 | Major disaster | Flood | Ice Jams And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 16 Aug 1995 | DR-1063 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Excessive Rainfall, Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 12 May 1993 | DR-990 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rain, Snowmelt & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 18 Mar 1992 | DR-938 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains, Ice Jams & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 25 Jul 1990 | DR-875 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 5 Aug 1976 | DR-518 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, High Winds & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 6 Jul 1973 | DR-397 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, & Landslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2024 | 14 | 12 | $525,220 | $43,768 |
| 2023 | 43 | 33 | $846,118 | $25,640 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | $8,899 | $4,449 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2019 | 6 | 4 | $128,107 | $32,027 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | $4,636 | $4,636 |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 | $7,806 | $7,806 |
| 2014 | 5 | 3 | $20,460 | $6,820 |
| 2013 | 16 | 15 | $136,898 | $9,127 |
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | $16,236 | $16,236 |
| 2011 | 80 | 67 | $2,036,510 | $30,396 |
| 2008 | 2 | 1 | $4,990 | $4,990 |
| 2006 | 3 | 2 | $26,409 | $13,204 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | $921 | $921 |
| 1999 | 2 | 1 | $231 | $231 |
| 1998 | 7 | 3 | $19,107 | $6,369 |
| 1996 | 4 | 3 | $12,213 | $4,071 |
| 1995 | 3 | 3 | $11,890 | $3,963 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 1993 | 11 | 9 | $30,398 | $3,378 |
| 1992 | 5 | 4 | $79,060 | $19,765 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 1989 | 2 | 2 | $4,435 | $2,217 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $28,797,704 | |
| Earthquake | $2,147,955 | |
| Heat wave | $1,797,421 | |
| Cold wave | $1,587,262 | |
| Lightning | $1,417,906 | |
| Strong wind | $1,222,775 | |
| Tornado | $846,921 | |
| Hurricane | $661,061 | |
| Ice storm | $600,671 | |
| Winter weather | $465,054 | |
| Avalanche | $456,666 | |
| Hail | $98,610 | |
| Wildfire | $18,585 | |
| Landslide | $18,363 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaias | 2020 | 32 mi | 52 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 51 mi | 52 mph |
| David | 1979 | 86 mi | 46 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 78 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 50 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1949 | 54 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1938 | 73 mi | 69 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1929 | 30 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1923 | 63 mi | 40 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1900 | 87 mi | 75 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1899 | 82 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1866 | 4 mi | 46 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Chittenden County, VT?
NCEI records 136 hail events in Chittenden County since 1950, in 32 different years; that is about 1.8 recorded events a year. 12 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Chittenden County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 5 tornadoes in Chittenden County since 1950, 1 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Chittenden County?
20 Aug 2024: Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides, a major disaster declaration for severe storm. The county appears in 32 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Chittenden County, and how much was paid?
256 NFIP claims since 1978, 192 of them paid, for $4.0M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Chittenden County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Low" for overall risk, "Relatively Low" for expected annual loss, "Very Low" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Chittenden County compare with the rest of Vermont?
116.0 recorded events per 100 square miles against 119.4 statewide, and 1.5 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 5.8. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.