Burlington, VT
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Burlington is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Chittenden County, VT. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, lightning, and avalanche.
Storm events near Burlington
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Burlington's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Burlington itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Chittenden County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Burlington along with the rest of the county, not a Burlington-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 25.4 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 76.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 76.7 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 73.2 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 29.5 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 78.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | 49.6 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 0 | No Rating |
| Hail | 16.7 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 65.9 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 78.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 76.6 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 82.8 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 59.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.9 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Chittenden County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Chittenden County:
More on Chittenden County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Burlington, VT at risk of?
Burlington is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Chittenden County, where Burlington is located, are winter weather, lightning, and avalanche.
What is Burlington's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Chittenden County, where Burlington is located, scoring 84.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Burlington a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Burlington carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Chittenden County.
Has Burlington had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 2 tornado, 30 hail, 36 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Burlington since 2016.