Bennington County
Vermont — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 52th
Bennington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 52.3, 52th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.10 / yr | $5M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.28 / yr | $17K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $781K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $12M |
| Lightning | Low | 24.16 / yr | $283K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.61 / yr | $95K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $233K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 24.41 / yr | $59K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.60 / yr | $120K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.53 / yr | $124K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $282K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.36 / yr | $175K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bennington County?
Bennington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 52.3 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 Bennington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Medium, $5M EAL), Landslide (Low, $17K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $781K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bennington County compare to other Vermont counties?
Bennington County ranks #4 of 14 Vermont counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Bennington County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.