Vermont faces a growing range of extreme weather threats that can catch people off guard. From dangerous heat waves that send as many folks to emergency rooms as cold-related illnesses, to sudden floods that turn quiet streams into raging torrents, the Green Mountain State gets weather challenges that surprise a lot of people.
Preparing for Vermont’s extreme weather events can mean the difference between a minor hassle and a life-threatening emergency. Climate patterns keep shifting, bringing more intense heat, unpredictable storms, and longer power outages that test even the most self-reliant Vermonters.
The state’s rural nature and mountainous terrain make rescue efforts tough when severe weather hits.
Knowing how to stay safe during extreme heat, respond to flooding, prepare for wildfire smoke, and keep essential supplies during power outages gives Vermont families a bit more confidence to weather any storm.
Building an emergency plan that fits Vermont’s unique challenges helps protect your loved ones and property when nature turns dangerous.
Understanding Vermont’s Extreme Weather Threats
Vermont gets hit with increasingly severe weather, including dangerous heat waves, devastating floods, powerful storms, and extended droughts.
Climate change has made these events more common and intense.
Types of Extreme Weather Events
Vermont sees a few distinct types of extreme weather that can seriously impact residents and communities.
Heat waves are a growing threat here. These bring temperatures way above normal, sometimes for days. The state has seen multiple heat-related emergency room visits and even deaths during the worst heat.
Flooding stands out as Vermont’s most destructive weather hazard. Heavy rain can overwhelm rivers and streams in no time. Flash floods pop up within hours and cause damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure.
Severe thunderstorms bring their own set of dangers. They can produce damaging winds, hail, and dangerous lightning. Tornadoes don’t happen often, but they still show up in some areas.
Winter storms dump heavy snow, ice, and bitter cold. These storms can shut down travel and leave people without power for days. Ice storms especially wreck trees and power lines.
Droughts hit Vermont’s agriculture and water supplies hard. Long dry spells stress crops and lower water levels in wells and reservoirs.
Impact of Climate Change in Vermont
Climate change has really changed Vermont’s weather in recent decades. The state shows clear evidence of long-term shifts in temperature and precipitation.
Rising temperatures are the most obvious change. Average temps have climbed a lot since the mid-20th century. Winters seem especially warmer.
Changing precipitation patterns bring new problems. Vermont gets more intense rain events, followed by longer dry stretches. This means higher risks for both floods and droughts.
Extreme weather intensification comes from climate change. Storms form in warmer air that holds more moisture, so when they hit, the rain is heavier and flooding is worse.
Scientists expect these trends to keep going as global temperatures rise. Vermont will probably see more frequent and intense extreme weather in the years ahead.
Recent Trends and Notable Incidents
Vermont has seen some significant extreme weather events that show just how vulnerable the state is.
Historic flooding has hit Vermont communities in back-to-back years. These floods caused massive damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses across several regions.
Heat wave impacts have become more obvious during extreme temperature events. Emergency medical services respond to more calls, and hospitals see more heat-related visits when temperatures spike.
Severe storm frequency has gone up, according to weather data. Communities in Vermont deal with more frequent power outages and storm damage. Wind storms, in particular, create a mess in the state’s forested areas.
Drought conditions have affected Vermont’s agriculture and water supplies. Multi-year dry spells stress water-dependent industries and lower reservoir levels.
Weather monitoring networks now cover more of Vermont to help track these trends. Better data helps communities get ready for whatever comes next.
Staying Safe During Extreme Heat
Vermont actually sees more heat-related emergency room visits than a lot of people expect—about as many as cold-related illnesses. People in cooler climates face higher risks during heat waves since their bodies aren’t used to the extreme temps.
Recognizing Heat Risks and Symptoms
Heat-related illness can sneak up fast when temperatures and humidity climb. Early warning signs include muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
Early Heat Illness Signs:
- Muscle cramps in legs or arms
- Heavy sweating or a sudden stop in sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache and dizziness
- Weakness or fatigue
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms include a high body temperature, hot and dry skin, rapid pulse, and confusion. Sometimes a person stops sweating even in extreme heat.
If you notice heat stroke, call 911 right away. While waiting, move the person to shade and cool their skin with water.
The Vermont Department of Health tracks heat-related illnesses across the state. They say people often underestimate heat dangers in a state famous for cold winters.
Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning
A lot of Vermont homes don’t have air conditioning, so hot weather can be even more dangerous. Simple tricks can help prevent heat illness when temperatures soar.
Indoor Cooling Methods:
- Close blinds and curtains during the day
- Use fans to keep air moving
- Take cool showers or baths a couple times a day
- Put wet towels on your neck, wrists, and ankles
- Skip ovens, dryers, and heat-making appliances
Light-colored, loose clothing works better than dark or tight stuff. Cotton lets air flow more than synthetic fabrics.
Basements in Vermont homes stay cooler. Spending time in the lowest level of a building can really help.
Outdoor Safety Tips:
- Stick to shaded areas as much as possible
- Save outdoor activities for early morning or evening
- Drink water before you get thirsty
- Take breaks in cool spots often
Finding Public Cooling Sites
Communities across Vermont open cooling centers during bad heat waves. These spots offer free air conditioning and water for folks without good cooling at home.
Common Cooling Center Locations:
- Public libraries
- Community centers
- Shopping malls
- Senior centers
- Municipal buildings
Local emergency management offices run the cooling centers. They announce locations on radio, TV, and social media during heat emergencies.
Many cooling centers let people bring pets during heat events. Some even offer rides for those who can’t drive.
Libraries act as unofficial cooling centers all year. Most Vermont libraries have free air conditioning, water fountains, and restrooms during regular hours.
Swimming areas help with heat relief but need caution. Never swim alone, and remember to stay hydrated even while swimming.
Support for Vulnerable Populations
Some groups face higher risks during extreme heat. Older adults, young children, and people with chronic health issues need extra protection.
Older folks might not feel heat as much as younger people. Their bodies also don’t regulate temperature as well. Certain medications can make heat sensitivity worse in elderly people.
High-Risk Groups Include:
- Adults over 65 years old
- Children under 4 years old
- People with heart disease or diabetes
- Folks taking certain medications
- Outdoor workers
Neighbors should check on elderly residents during heat waves. A quick call or visit can make a huge difference.
Parents must never leave kids or pets in parked cars. Inside temps get deadly fast, even with the windows cracked.
People with disabilities might need help getting to cooling centers or noticing heat illness symptoms. Caregivers should plan ahead before hot weather arrives.
Responding to Floods and Water Emergencies
Flood response means knowing your risk areas, following safety steps during floods, and cleaning up safely afterward. Vermont residents need to spot warning signs, take action when flooding starts, and deal with contamination and mold after water recedes.
Flood Risk Areas and Warning Signs
Vermont’s river valleys and low-lying spots face the highest flood risk during heavy rain or snowmelt. The National Weather Service sends out flood watches and warnings when things get dangerous.
High-risk locations include:
- Areas near rivers, streams, and creeks
- Low-lying neighborhoods and basements
- Road underpasses and bridges
- Properties with poor drainage
Residents can sign up for VT-ALERT to get emergency notifications. This state service sends warnings straight to your phone or email when flooding threatens your area.
Warning signs of immediate flood danger:
- Water levels rising fast
- Water flowing over roads or into basements
- Unusual noises from nearby waterways
- Emergency sirens or evacuation orders
The National Weather Service works with Vermont Emergency Management to send out timely warnings. If you live in a flood-prone area, never ignore official evacuation orders.
Best Practices During Flood Events
When flooding starts, safety comes first. Move to higher ground right away and never walk or drive through flood water.
Essential safety actions:
- Turn off electricity and gas if water enters your home
- Bring outdoor furniture and equipment inside
- Fill bathtubs and containers with clean water before contamination sets in
- Stay away from electrical gear if you’re standing in water
Evacuation procedures:
- Use only the marked evacuation routes
- Take emergency supplies, medications, and important documents with you
- Never drive through flooded roads—just six inches of moving water can knock an adult down
FEMA suggests having a meeting place for family members in case you get separated. Pick a spot on higher ground, away from flood zones.
Keep an ear on emergency broadcasts and weather alerts during the event. Conditions can change fast, and new evacuation orders might come out.
After-Flood Recovery and Clean-Up
Only start recovery after authorities say it’s safe. Flood water brings dangerous bacteria and contaminants, so cleanup needs care.
Immediate safety steps:
- Take photos of damage for insurance
- Wear protective gear like boots, gloves, and N95 masks
- Assume mold is present if areas were wet for more than a day
- Get HVAC systems checked before turning them on
Cleaning procedures:
- Clean hard surfaces with soap and water
- Throw out soaked stuff like mattresses, carpets, and drywall
- Wash contaminated clothes separately in hot water
- Use HEPA air filters and dehumidifiers to dry everything out
Vermont Emergency Management works with FEMA to offer disaster help after big floods. Register for federal aid programs if they’re available.
Professional help requirements:
- Call certified contractors for mold areas bigger than 10 square feet
- Make sure contractors follow EPA cleanup rules
- Get references and check their experience with flood damage
Never use bleach cleaners on mold. Soap and water actually work better and are safer than harsh chemicals.
Wildfire and Smoke Preparedness
Vermont residents need to keep an eye on air quality levels and get ready for possible evacuations as wildfire smoke becomes more common. Climate change is raising wildfire risks, so smoke events are a growing concern—even when the fires are hundreds of miles away.
Monitoring Air Quality
The Air Quality Index (AQI) goes from 0 to 500. Higher numbers mean bigger health risks. Residents should check AirNow.gov every day for current conditions and forecasts.
Air quality forecasts usually update by 4:00 p.m. for the next day. Conditions can shift quickly during smoke events.
Key AQI Levels:
- Good (0-50): Safe for everyone
- Moderate (51-100): Sensitive people might feel symptoms
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Kids, older adults, and people with heart or lung issues should limit outdoor time
- Unhealthy (151-200): Everyone should cut back on outdoor exposure
Sign up for emergency alerts through EnviroFlash and VT-Alert. These services send automatic notifications when air quality drops.
Weather apps often show air quality data now. The National Weather Service in Burlington also posts fire danger updates for Vermont.
Evacuation and Shelter Advice
If you live in Vermont, it’s smart to make evacuation plans before wildfire season starts. Make sure your plan has more than one way out of your neighborhood and a place where your family can meet up.
Pack emergency kits with N95 masks, medications, important documents, and enough water and food for three days. Keep these supplies somewhere you can grab them fast.
When smoke rolls in, stay inside and keep windows and doors shut. Set your air conditioning to recirculate so you don’t pull smoky air indoors.
Indoor Air Protection:
- Pick one “clean room” for hanging out if the air gets bad.
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters.
- Skip anything that creates smoke, like candles, cooking, or smoking.
- If you need to, you can make your own air filter with a box fan and a furnace filter.
If you don’t have air conditioning, you should visit public cooling centers during hot, smoky weather. Staying inside with the windows closed can get dangerous if it’s really hot.
Pet owners, bring your animals inside when it’s smoky. Don’t let kids or pets play outside when the air quality is unhealthy.
Dealing With Power Outages and Infrastructure Disruption
Vermont gets hit hard by power outages during big storms. Storms actually cause about 80% of major electrical disruptions in the U.S. If you prepare for emergency power, food safety, and communication, you can make outages a lot less stressful for your family and neighbors.
Emergency Power Solutions
Portable generators really shine when the power goes out for a long time. Pick a generator that’s strong enough to run your fridge, medical gear, and heat.
Never run generators inside or in your garage. Every year, carbon monoxide from generators kills people who use them wrong. Set yours up at least 20 feet from any windows or doors.
Battery backups work for short outages. Power banks can keep your phone charged for days. A battery-powered radio helps you get weather updates if cell towers go down.
Solar generators are a quieter, cleaner option. They charge up when the sun’s out and save energy for nighttime.
Fuel storage takes a little planning. Keep gasoline in approved containers and swap it out every six months. Store propane tanks outside and check them regularly for leaks.
Test your emergency power gear once a month. Keep extra oil, spark plugs, and fuel stabilizer around for your generator.
Food and Medication Safety
Food in your fridge can go bad pretty quickly without power. If your freezer is full and stays closed, it’ll keep food safe for about 48 hours. If it’s only half full, you get about 24 hours.
Temperature checks are key for food safety. Toss any food that’s been above 40°F for over four hours. Use thermometers to keep an eye on things.
Move important meds to a cooler with ice packs during outages. Stuff like insulin and liquid antibiotics need to stay cool.
Non-perishable foods should last at least three days. Stock up on canned goods, dried fruit, nuts, and crackers. Don’t forget a manual can opener and something to eat with.
Plan for cooking without electricity. Camp stoves, charcoal grills, and gas ranges still work if the power’s out. Never use outdoor cooking gear inside your home.
Keep at least one gallon of water per person per day. Sometimes, the city water system fails during long outages.
Communication During Outages
VT-Alert sends emergency messages to your phone, email, or landline when bad weather hits. You can sign up at vtalert.gov to get updates on power and emergency help.
Cell towers sometimes lose power during storms. Texting usually works better than calling since it uses less bandwidth.
FEMA suggests using battery-powered or hand-crank radios for emergency news. NOAA Weather Radio gives nonstop updates during storms.
Pick an out-of-state contact for your family. Sometimes, long-distance calls go through even if local lines are down. Make sure everyone knows who to call.
Charging tips help your phone last longer. Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, and location services to save battery. If your signal is weak, switch to airplane mode.
Car chargers can keep your phone and small devices powered up. Always run your car outside, never in the garage or near buildings.
Building Your Personal and Family Emergency Plan
Every Vermont family needs a solid emergency plan with clear evacuation routes and ways to stay in touch. Having a well-stocked kit and good alert systems makes a big difference when the weather gets wild.
Creating an Evacuation Plan
Vermont Emergency Management says you should know at least two ways out of your home and neighborhood. Try to pick routes that don’t flood or wash out during storms.
Pick meeting spots for your family—one close to home, like a neighbor’s house, and another farther away if you have to leave town.
Contact info for everyone in your family belongs on wallet-sized cards. Make sure to add an out-of-state contact who can help if local phones aren’t working.
Practice your evacuation routes at different times and in different weather. Some roads that seem fine in summer can get dangerous in winter or when it floods.
Pet owners, check which shelters or hotels along your route will take animals. A lot of emergency shelters can’t allow pets because of health rules.
Assembling an Emergency Supply Kit
Every home in Vermont should have enough supplies for three days without power or help. FEMA says you need one gallon of water per person per day, so a family of four needs at least 12 gallons.
Non-perishable foods should be stuff you don’t have to cook or keep cold. Canned goods, dried fruit, nuts, and energy bars are great. Bring a manual can opener and disposable plates.
Here’s what else you need:
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit with prescription meds
- Warm blankets and extra clothes
- Cash in small bills
- Important documents in something waterproof
Vermont winters get rough, so warm clothes and ways to stay warm are a must. Pack sleeping bags rated for cold temps and maybe a portable generator with good ventilation.
Store your supplies in containers you can grab fast, near your exits. Check expiration dates every six months and swap out anything that’s old.
Staying Informed With Local Alerts
VT-Alert sends official emergency notifications straight from Vermont Emergency Management to your phone or email. Signing up only takes a few minutes, and you can tweak your alerts by location or type.
The National Weather Service shares watches and warnings for Vermont through a bunch of channels. If you’ve got a weather radio with battery backup, you’ll still get alerts even if the power goes out.
Local emergency management offices post updated info about shelter locations and road closures. A lot of towns rely on social media and their websites to get real-time updates out during emergencies.
Go ahead and sign up for alerts from a few places—county emergency management, your local police, maybe even the school district. Each group might offer something a little different when things are changing fast.
Pick out a few reliable news sources that actually cover Vermont weather and emergencies. It’s smart to keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio handy, just in case you lose power during a storm.