Centre Congregational Church · Photo: Ken Gallager at en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Gilmanton 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, Gilmanton gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #55 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Gilmanton 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 Gilmanton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gilmanton, and Gilmanton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #55 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gilmanton’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, Gilmanton has less expected damage per building than 57% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Gilmanton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gilmanton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gilmanton, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gilmanton 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gilmanton
Disasters that paid out in Gilmanton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gilmanton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$106K to the Town of Gilmanton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$60K to the Town of Gilmanton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$33K to the Town of Gilmanton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Gilmanton for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Gilmanton 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 Gilmanton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gilmanton archive →Gilmanton and its neighbors
Gilmanton is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilford | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Gilmanton | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Alton | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Barnstead | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Belmont | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Loudon | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Gilmanton 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 Gilmanton
Is Gilmanton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gilmanton has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #55 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Gilmanton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Gilmanton since 1978, $318 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gilmanton 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 Gilmanton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gilmanton’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 Gilmanton?
By FEMA money that reached Gilmanton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 6 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $106K to the Town of Gilmanton for repairs.
Is Gilmanton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Gilmanton’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gilmanton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gilmanton’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.