Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bartlett faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartlett gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #120 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1984.
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 Bartlett 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 Bartlett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bartlett, and Bartlett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
D #120 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bartlett’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Hampshire town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bartlett has more expected damage per building than 95% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Bartlett: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bartlett flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bartlett, from FEMA’s records: 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter13 claims · $350K
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $218K
Bartlett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bartlett
Disasters that paid out in Bartlett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bartlett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$144K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$410K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$86K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene59 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$1.5M to the Town of Bartlett for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $218K
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$11K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$7K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$5K to the Town of Bartlett for repairs
Carroll County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bartlett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bartlett archive →Bartlett and its neighbors
Bartlett is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conway | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Bartlett | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Jackson | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Albany | — | 790 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hart's Location | — | 49 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| North Conway | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Chatham | — | 430 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bartlett 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 Bartlett
Is Bartlett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bartlett has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #120 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bartlett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Bartlett since 1984, $803K in all, or 9.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (13).
Is Bartlett 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 Carroll County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bartlett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bartlett’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 Bartlett?
By FEMA money that reached Bartlett, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 59 households applied for aid, $137K approved, and $1.5M to the Town of Bartlett for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 13 paid, $350K.
Is Bartlett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Bartlett’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bartlett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bartlett’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.