Enter any address in Belknap County, New Hampshire to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flooding in Belknap County, NH, with 26 events recorded in the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 29, 2023, caused by slow-moving storms over saturated ground, and on July 15, 2023, where rapid runoff in urban areas led to street flooding and water entering structures. Other flood events, including those associated with tropical storms, have also occurred.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $9,436 and an average water depth of 9.5 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED have also seen claims, with average payouts of $7,835 and $4,709 respectively, and average water depths of 2.1 and 3.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in areas prone to flash flooding or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
27 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Belknap County, New Hampshire has recorded 43 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 26 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 30 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1973–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm And Flooding | Winter Storm | Apr 3, 2024 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Jul 9, 2023 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 22, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 40.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2017 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2017 | 35.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2023
A stalled frontal boundary and surface low pressure began to slowly lift northward into the southeast New Hampshire through the Midcoast of Maine on the afternoon of the 29th. Showers and thunderstorms developed along the boundary and moved eastward. Since the system as a whole showed very little forward progression, multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms ended up moving across the same l...
Flood — Dec 18, 2023
Low pressure began organizing in the Gulf of Mexico on the 16th, setting record low sea level pressures as it traversed the Southeast through the 17th. Strong high pressure over the North Atlantic created a deep southeasterly flow that drew warm air into New England ahead of the approaching storm. By the time precipitation arrived on the evening of the 17th, temperatures were warm enough for ra...
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2023
On the evening of July 15th isolated thunderstorms developed across southern New Hampshire. Storm movement mitigated flash flooding across the state, except for the city of Manchester where multiple storms traveled directly over the city on the evening of July 15th. Up to 2��� fell in an hour over the urban city area. The intense rainfall rates lead to rapid run-off and caused localize...
Flood — Dec 23, 2022
Beginning on December 22nd a powerful storm was developing over the Ohio River Valley. On December 23rd the center of the storm was deepening rapidly (974mb) as it lifted through the eastern Great Lakes. While the center tracked into southern Ontario, high pressure retreated into the Canadian Maritimes creating a strong pressure gradient across the region. Strong southerly winds developed as a ...
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2021
A developing area of lower pressure crossed the state on the night of July 29th. Abundant moisture moved into the region ahead of this area of low pressure. Rain began by late afternoon on July 29th across the Connecticut River Valley. Rain continued to quickly spread east through the late afternoon hours across all of Central and Southern New Hampshire. Moderate rain was steady with embedd...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Belknap County, New Hampshire:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Belknap County, New Hampshire that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.