4,421 flood insurance claims·$65.6M paid·7,154 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around New Hampshire. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
New Hampshire faces a mixed flood risk profile dominated by frequent riverine floods and flash flooding, alongside measurable coastal and tropical storm hazards. Over the last thirty years, NOAA recorded 543 flood events resulting in two deaths, and 420 flash flood events causing five deaths. Secondary hazards include 67 coastal flood events, 29 tropical storm events with two deaths, eight storm surge or tide events, and one hurricane.
Recent federal disaster declarations underscore the persistence of these threats, driven by severe storms and flooding in December 2023, January 2024, and July 2024. These repeated severe storm declarations highlight ongoing vulnerabilities across the state's inland and coastal areas alike.
National Flood Insurance Program claims data indicates that Zone A carries the heaviest burden, accounting for 2,638 claims and $46 million paid out at an average of $23,210 per claim. High-risk coastal Zone V properties also experience costly impacts, averaging $24,440 across 91 claims. However, significant surprise claims occur outside designated high-risk areas. Zone X properties—including shaded, unshaded, and general categories—along with unknown zones, recorded thousands of claims and millions of dollars in total payouts. This distribution demonstrates that residents outside traditional high-risk flood zones still face substantial flood risks and potential financial loss, making insurance consideration important across various zone categories.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
New Hampshire has received 320 federal disaster declarations, including 61 flood and coastal storm declarations and 20 hurricane declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in New Hampshire FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
New Hampshire had 7,154 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $1,241 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. New Hampshire residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in New Hampshire →
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