Photo: JJBers · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Scotland than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Scotland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Scotland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scotland, and Scotland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Scotland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $578K a year in losses across Scotland: $519K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scotland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Scotland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Scotland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scotland
Disasters that paid out in Scotland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Scotland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$10K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$23K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
- 2006Snow$3K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$6K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Scotland for repairs
Old photos of Scotland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scotland archive →Scotland and its neighbors
Scotland is 4th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Hampton | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Canterbury | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Scotland | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Chaplin | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Windham | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sprague | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Scotland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Scotland
Is Scotland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotland has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (20%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Scotland in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In the county, 0.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Scotland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scotland’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Scotland?
By FEMA money that reached Scotland, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): $23K to the Town of Scotland for repairs.
Is Scotland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Scotland’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scotland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scotland’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.