Vermont
Tropical Storm Irene devastated Vermont in 2011. Twelve years later, the July 2023 floods did it again, this time hitting Montpelier, the state capital. Vermont's steep terrain and narrow valleys turn heavy rain into fast-moving, destructive floods. The state keeps rebuilding.
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Know your region
Montpelier, Barre, Waterbury, the Winooski corridor. The July 2023 floods put downtown Montpelier under water. Irene (2011) devastated Waterbury and Rochester. The Winooski, Dog, and North Branch rivers flood through populated areas.
Primary hazards: flooding, winter storms, landslides, severe storms
Stowe, Killington, Manchester, the Long Trail. Heavy snow accumulates on the ridgeline. Flash floods in steep ravines develop during summer storms. Irene washed away sections of Route 100 and Route 4. Rural roads are the only way in and out of many communities.
Primary hazards: flooding, winter storms, landslides, wildfire
St. Johnsbury, Newport, White River Junction, the Connecticut River. The most remote and coldest part of the state. Power outages last longer. The Connecticut River floods during heavy rain and spring runoff. Ice storms coat rural roads and power lines.
Primary hazards: winter storms, flooding, ice storms, extreme cold
Your hazard profile
Each links to a full guide with during-event protocol, recovery steps, and resources specific to VT.
Irene (2011) and the July 2023 floods demonstrated Vermont's acute vulnerability. Steep terrain channels water into narrow valleys with tremendous force. Montpelier, the state capital, has flooded catastrophically twice in 12 years.
Read the flooding guide →
Heavy snow from nor'easters, lake-effect moisture, and mountain enhancement. Ice storms knock out power to rural areas for days. Roads may be impassable for extended periods.
Read the winter storms guide →
Summer storms bring damaging winds, hail, and intense rain that triggers flash floods. Vermont's forest cover means fallen trees cause outages quickly.
Read the severe thunderstorms guide →
Heavy rain triggers landslides on steep slopes. The 2011 and 2023 floods both produced significant landslide damage. Road embankments are particularly vulnerable.
Read the landslides guide →
Vermont is experiencing more frequent heat events. Many buildings lack air conditioning. Heat stress is an emerging concern for a state not historically prepared for it.
Read the emerging heat guide →
Vermont resources
Vermont Emergency Management. Coordinates disaster response and manages the state's flood recovery programs.
Vermont forecasts. Winter storm warnings, flash flood alerts, and severe weather outlooks.
Vermont's river corridor mapping, flood hazard information, and stream monitoring. Critical for understanding flood risk by property.
Statewide referral. Disaster recovery, energy assistance, fuel assistance, and housing resources.
Twelve years apart
In July 2023, heavy rain put downtown Montpelier under several feet of water. Businesses that had rebuilt after Irene in 2011 flooded again. The state capital's main street was impassable. The Winooski River exceeded flood stage by feet, not inches.
Vermont's flood problem is geographic. The state is steep. The valleys are narrow. When rain falls at rates the terrain cannot absorb, the water has one place to go: straight down the valley, through the towns that were built along the rivers. The same geography that makes Vermont beautiful makes it flood-prone.
For Vermont households in river valleys, the lesson of 2011 and 2023 is that this will happen again. The interval may be 12 years. It may be less. Flood insurance, an evacuation plan, and the willingness to move to high ground before the water reaches your door are not precautions. They are the baseline.