District No. 9 Schoolhouse · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Gilford than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gilford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #17 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1998.
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 Gilford 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 Gilford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gilford, and Gilford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #17 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gilford’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, Gilford has less expected damage per building than 87% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Gilford: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gilford flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gilford, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gilford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Belknap County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gilford
Disasters that paid out in Gilford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gilford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$152K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$24K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$50K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$20K to the Town of Gilford for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$103K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$15K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
- 2003Snow$21K to the Town of Gilford for repairs
Belknap County has had 23 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 Gilford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gilford archive →Gilford and its neighbors
Gilford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilford | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Meredith | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Gilmanton | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Alton | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Laconia | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Belmont | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Gilford 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 Gilford
Is Gilford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gilford has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #17 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gilford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Gilford since 1998, $63K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gilford 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 Belknap County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gilford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gilford’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 Gilford?
By FEMA money that reached Gilford, Severe Storm and Flooding (2022): $152K to the Town of Gilford for repairs.
Is Gilford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Gilford’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gilford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gilford’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.