Vermont experiences four seasons with temperatures that are pleasant year-round. The average high in July is around 80 degrees while January temps can dip into the single digits.
Precipitation, in the form of rain and snow, is well above the national average and snowfall is more significant in the mountainous areas of the state.
Vermont is nestled between New York and New Hampshire, which protects the state from direct damage due to extreme coastal weather events like hurricanes, but it’s not uncommon to
receive some damage related to storms.
In 2011, Hurricane Irene resulted in 11 inches of rain in areas of Vermont, resulting in over $700 million in damage. The flooding, which was directly related to Hurricane Irene, damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 roads, 800 homes and other structures, 300 bridges, and six railroad lines.
Tornadoes in Vermont are rare, but still possible. Between 1953 and 2012, there have been 45 tornadoes resulting in zero fatalities and 78 injuries. The longest tornado path reported is 30.5 miles with the widest path measuring 970 yards.
In May of 2018, half of the counties in Vermont were affected by severe weather that produced hail, rain, wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph, and power outages for 8,000 residents. In some areas, like the Adirondack Mountain High Peaks area, wind gusts of over 100 mph were recorded. Many lake levels came close to flooding during and after the storm.
Climatologists predict that by the year 2050, nearly 50 days out of the year will be heat wave days in Vermont; currently, there are about ten days a year that have a heat index of 105
degrees F.
As temperatures continue to rise, severe weather resulting in expensive and extensive damageto homeowners may become more prevalent.
The Vermont FAIR Plan offers basic property insurance for homeowners who may not qualify for insurance through the voluntary markets. For many homeowners who live in high-risk areas, the FAIR Plan may seem like the only option to protect assets.
Before you settle on the FAIR plan, the private insurance marketplace may be a good alternative to the Vermont FAIR Plan. By researching other insurance plans throughout the private marketplace, you may be able to find better coverage which is not only more affordable but also protects your most valuable assets.