Barre, VT Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Barre faces flooding from the Stevens Branch and other tributaries of the Winooski River. The city's location in a narrow valley concentrates floodwaters during heavy rainfall events.
Washington County has recorded 1,234 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $49.8M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 1
NFIP Policies
1,018
Washington County
Avg. Premium
$2,237/yr
Washington County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Washington County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $17.6M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $601K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Washington County
Washington County has been included in 16 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 8 earlier declarations since 1973.
These declarations affected communities across Washington County, including Barre.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Washington County
Properties in Washington County have filed 1,234 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $49.8M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $40K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
453 claims - $18.8M
2023
340 claims - $23.4M
2024
113 claims - $4.6M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Washington County
Only roughly 1 in 23 households in Washington County carries NFIP flood insurance (4% of estimated households). With 75 recorded flood events and $218.4M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
4%
roughly 1 in 23 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
1,234 claims over 45+ years across 1,018 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$40,319
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Washington County has averaged 1.2 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Barre.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Barre
Barre faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Barre are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $17.6M.
Riverine flood risk in Barre is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Barre address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Washington County
Washington County has 119 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 20 severe repetitive loss properties. 15 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
119
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
20
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
15
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Washington County
NOAA has recorded 75 flood events in Washington County since 1996, causing $218.4M in damage and 1 death.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Washington County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 190 properties in Washington County, investing $1.3M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Barre, VT Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Barre, VT?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Barre are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Barre?
If your Barre property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Barre?
Enter your Barre address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects Barre?
Barre is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Barre address.
Has Barre experienced major flooding events?
Washington County, where Barre is located, has been part of 16 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in 2023. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Barre?
Washington County has recorded 1,234 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $49.8M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 453 claims and $18.8M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Barre.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Barre?
Washington County currently has 1,018 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $2,237. The most policies are in Zone AE (741 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Barre properties have flooded repeatedly?
Washington County has 119 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 20 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Barre property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Barre?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Barre's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.