Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bedford’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #22 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 2003.
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 Bedford 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 Bedford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedford, and Bedford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #22 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedford’s residents live in 3 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, Bedford has less expected damage per building than 83% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Bedford: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedford flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedford, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $10K
Bedford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bedford
Disasters that paid out in Bedford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bedford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$70K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$73K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$121K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$52K to the Town of Bedford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$93K to the Town of Bedford for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$15K to the Town of Bedford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding117 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$115K to the Town of Bedford for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$38K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$44K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2003Snow$45K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2003Snow$28K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
- 2001Snow$43K to the Town of Bedford for repairs
Hillsborough County has had 26 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 Bedford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedford archive →Bedford and its neighbors
Bedford has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Goffstown | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Amherst | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Manchester | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Merrimack | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| New Boston | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Bedford 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 Bedford
Is Bedford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedford has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #22 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Bedford since 2003, $386K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is Bedford 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 Hillsborough County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bedford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bedford’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 Bedford?
By FEMA money that reached Bedford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 117 households applied for aid, $158K approved, and $115K to the Town of Bedford for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Bedford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Bedford’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedford’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.