Chapel of the Holy Cross · Photo: Toby Hudson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Holderness than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holderness gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 75 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 Holderness’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Holderness 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 Holderness’ grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holderness, and Holderness’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holderness’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Holderness: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holderness flood? Sometimes: 75 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holderness, from FEMA’s records: 49.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $391K
- The December nor’easter3 claims · $27K
Holderness isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grafton County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holderness
Disasters that paid out in Holderness itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holderness), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$12K to the Town of Holderness for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene16 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$14K to the Town of Holderness for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $391K
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$12K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$7K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$6K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
- 2001Snow$4K to the Town of Holderness for repairs
Grafton County has had 34 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 Holderness after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holderness archive →Holderness and its neighbors
Holderness is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Harbor | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Plymouth | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Holderness | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Ashland | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Holderness 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 Holderness
Is Holderness at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holderness has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. 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 Holderness flood?
Flood insurance has paid 75 claims in Holderness since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 49.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (19).
Is Holderness 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 Grafton County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holderness?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holderness’ 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 Holderness?
By FEMA money that reached Holderness, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 16 households applied for aid, $28K approved, and $14K to the Town of Holderness for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 19 paid, $391K.
Is Holderness at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Holderness’ rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holderness.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holderness’ 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.