Franklin Pierce Homestead · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hillsborough than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsborough gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #91 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1979.
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 Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hillsborough, and Hillsborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #91 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hillsborough’s residents live in 2 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, Hillsborough has more expected damage per building than 72% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Hillsborough: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hillsborough flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hillsborough, from FEMA’s records: 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $4K
Hillsborough 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hillsborough
Disasters that paid out in Hillsborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hillsborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$122K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$113K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$25K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$93K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2001Snow$12K to the Town of Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hillsborough archive →Hillsborough and its neighbors
Hillsborough is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Henniker | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Deering | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Washington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hillsborough | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Bradford | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Windsor | — | 254 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough
Is Hillsborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsborough has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #91 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hillsborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Hillsborough since 1979, $546K in all, or 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (1).
Is Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hillsborough’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 Hillsborough?
By FEMA money that reached Hillsborough, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $122K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Hillsborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Hillsborough’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hillsborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hillsborough’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.