Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Chichester faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chichester gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #41 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Chichester 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 Chichester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chichester, and Chichester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #41 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chichester’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Hampshire town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Chichester has less expected damage per building than 68% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $725K a year in losses across Chichester: $616K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chichester flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chichester, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chichester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merrimack County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chichester
Disasters that paid out in Chichester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chichester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$7K to the Town of Chichester for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Town of Chichester for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$4K to the Town of Chichester for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$29K to the Town of Chichester for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$26K to the Town of Chichester for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$26K to the Town of Chichester for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$16K to the Town of Chichester for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Merrimack County has had 24 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 Chichester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chichester archive →Chichester and its neighbors
Chichester has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chichester | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pembroke | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Loudon | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Epsom | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Chichester 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 Chichester
Is Chichester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chichester has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #41 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (16%). 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.
Does Chichester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Chichester since 2007, $40K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chichester 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 Merrimack County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chichester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chichester’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 Chichester?
By FEMA money that reached Chichester, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 7 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $26K to the Town of Chichester for repairs.
Is Chichester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Chichester’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chichester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chichester’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.