Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Epping as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Epping gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #53 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1983.
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 Epping 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
Earthquakes
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 Epping’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Epping, and Epping’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #53 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Epping’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, Epping has less expected damage per building than 58% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Epping: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Epping flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Epping, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $6K
Epping isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Epping
Disasters that paid out in Epping itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Epping), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$5K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$35K to the Town of Epping for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$37K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$91K aid approved$106K to the Town of Epping for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding44 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$54K to the Town of Epping for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$13K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Epping for repairs
- 2001Snow$25K to the Town of Epping for repairs
Rockingham County has had 29 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 Epping after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Epping archive →Epping and its neighbors
Epping has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epping | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Raymond | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
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 Epping 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Epping
Is Epping at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Epping has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #53 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (6%). 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 Epping flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Epping since 1983, $621K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is Epping 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 Rockingham County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Epping?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Epping’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 Epping?
By FEMA money that reached Epping, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 28 households applied for aid, $91K approved, and $106K to the Town of Epping for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Epping at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Epping’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Epping.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Epping’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.