Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Epsom than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Epsom gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #110 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Epsom 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 Epsom’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Epsom, and Epsom’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #110 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Epsom’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, Epsom has more expected damage per building than 87% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Epsom: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Epsom flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Epsom, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $4K
Epsom 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 Epsom
Disasters that paid out in Epsom itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Epsom), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Epsom for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$9K to the Town of Epsom for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$34K to the Town of Epsom for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$37K to the Town of Epsom for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of Epsom for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornado, and Flooding$16K to the Town of Epsom for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$350K aid approved$859K to the Town of Epsom for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$76K to the Town of Epsom for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
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 Epsom after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Epsom archive →Epsom and its neighbors
Epsom is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chichester | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Deerfield | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Pembroke | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Allenstown | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| 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 Epsom 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 Epsom
Is Epsom at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Epsom has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #110 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Epsom flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Epsom since 1984, $508K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is Epsom 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 Epsom?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Epsom’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 Epsom?
By FEMA money that reached Epsom, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 48 households applied for aid, $350K approved, and $859K to the Town of Epsom for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $4K.
Is Epsom at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Epsom’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Epsom.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Epsom’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.