Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Gorham faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gorham gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #121 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1982.
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 Gorham 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 Gorham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gorham, and Gorham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #121 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gorham’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, Gorham has more expected damage per building than 96% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Gorham: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gorham flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gorham, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $22K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $14K
Gorham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coos County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gorham
Disasters that paid out in Gorham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gorham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$319K to the Town of Gorham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$5K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$307K to the Town of Gorham for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$28K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$576K to the Town of Gorham for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$22K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$32K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2003Snow$1K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2001Snow$17K to the Town of Gorham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Coos County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gorham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gorham archive →Gorham and its neighbors
Gorham is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Gorham 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 Gorham
Is Gorham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gorham has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #121 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and hurricanes (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 Gorham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Gorham since 1982, $160K in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Gorham 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 Coos County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gorham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gorham’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 Gorham?
By FEMA money that reached Gorham, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): $576K to the Town of Gorham for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $22K.
Is Gorham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Gorham’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gorham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gorham’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.