Photo: Jane023 · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Conway faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Conway gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #109 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 62 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Conway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Conway 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 Conway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Conway, and Conway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #109 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Conway’s residents live in 4 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, Conway has more expected damage per building than 86% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Conway: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Conway flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Conway, from FEMA’s records: 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene18 claims · $645K
- The December nor’easter8 claims · $247K
Conway 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Conway
Disasters that paid out in Conway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Conway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$19K to the Town of Conway for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene56 households applied for aid$465K aid approved$60K to the Town of Conway for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $645K
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$126K to the Town of Conway 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 Conway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Conway archive →Conway and its neighbors
Conway is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownfield | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fryeburg | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Madison | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Conway | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Bartlett | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Eaton | — | 501 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| North Conway | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Chatham | — | 430 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Albany | — | 790 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 Conway 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 Conway
Is Conway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Conway has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #109 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Conway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Conway since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (18).
Is Conway 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 Conway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Conway’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 Conway?
By FEMA money that reached Conway, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 56 households applied for aid, $465K approved, and $60K to the Town of Conway for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 18 paid, $645K.
Is Conway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Conway’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Conway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Conway’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.