Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Goffstown as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goffstown gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #48 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 119 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 Goffstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Goffstown 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 Goffstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goffstown, and Goffstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #48 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goffstown’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, Goffstown has less expected damage per building than 62% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Goffstown: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goffstown flood? Yes: 119 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Goffstown, from FEMA’s records: 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $6K
Goffstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Goffstown
Disasters that paid out in Goffstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Goffstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$9K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$8K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$73K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 16
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$96K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$75K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding69 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$89K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding266 households applied for aid$456K aid approved$897K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs54 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$248K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$26K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$33K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2003Snow$32K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
- 2001Snow$30K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs
Hillsborough County has had 26 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 Goffstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goffstown archive →Goffstown and its neighbors
Goffstown is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunbarton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bedford | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Goffstown | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| Manchester | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Weare | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| New Boston | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Goffstown 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 Goffstown
Is Goffstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goffstown has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #48 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Goffstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 119 claims in Goffstown since 1978, $3.5M in all, or 17.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 25 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Goffstown 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 Hillsborough County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Goffstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goffstown’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 Goffstown?
By FEMA money that reached Goffstown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 266 households applied for aid, $456K approved, and $897K to the Town of Goffstown for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Goffstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Goffstown’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goffstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goffstown’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.