Burlington, VT Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Burlington faces flooding from Lake Champlain, the Winooski River, and urban streams. Record Lake Champlain levels in 2011 caused prolonged flooding along the lakeshore and in low-lying areas.
Chittenden County has recorded 255 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $4.0M 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
371
Chittenden County
Avg. Premium
$1,202/yr
Chittenden County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Chittenden 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 ModerateEst. annual loss: $28.8M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $661K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Chittenden County
Chittenden County has been included in 13 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 5 earlier declarations since 1973.
These declarations affected communities across Chittenden County, including Burlington.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Chittenden County
Properties in Chittenden County have filed 255 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $16K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
80 claims - $1.9M
2023
43 claims - $911K
2013
16 claims - $137K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Chittenden County
Only roughly 1 in 179 households in Chittenden County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.6% of estimated households). With 60 recorded flood events and $20.2M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.6%
roughly 1 in 179 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
255 claims over 45+ years across 371 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$15,537
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Chittenden County has averaged 1 claim 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 Burlington.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Burlington
Burlington faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Burlington are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $28.8M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Burlington depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. 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.
Flood zone boundaries in Burlington can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Burlington address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Chittenden County
Chittenden County has 14 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 1 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
14
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
1
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 13 of 14 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Chittenden County
NOAA has recorded 60 flood events in Chittenden County since 1996, causing $20.2M in damage and 1 death.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Chittenden County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 79 properties in Chittenden County, investing $885K 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.
Burlington, VT Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Burlington, VT?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Burlington 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 Burlington?
If your Burlington 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 Burlington?
Enter your Burlington 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 Burlington?
Burlington is primarily affected by river overflow combined with urban drainage challenges. 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 Burlington address.
Has Burlington experienced major flooding events?
Chittenden County, where Burlington is located, has been part of 13 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 Burlington?
Chittenden County has recorded 255 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $4.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 80 claims and $1.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Burlington.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Burlington?
Chittenden County currently has 371 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,202. The most policies are in Zone X (230 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Burlington properties have flooded repeatedly?
Chittenden County has 14 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1 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 Burlington 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 Burlington?
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 Burlington'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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Look Up Any Burlington, VT Address
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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.