Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hooksett than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hooksett gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #24 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1987.
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 Hooksett’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hooksett 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
Earthquakes
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 Hooksett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hooksett, and Hooksett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #24 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hooksett’s residents live in 3 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, Hooksett has less expected damage per building than 82% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Hooksett: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hooksett flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hooksett, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $108K
Hooksett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merrimack County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hooksett
Disasters that paid out in Hooksett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hooksett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$3K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$15K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$40K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$99K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$79K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$131K aid approved$166K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2003Snow$23K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
- 2001Snow$21K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs
Merrimack County has had 24 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 Hooksett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hooksett archive →Hooksett and its neighbors
Hooksett is 2nd of the 8 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 | — |
| Hooksett | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Bow | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Auburn | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Candia | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Deerfield | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Manchester | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Allenstown | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| South Hooksett | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Suncook | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Hooksett 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Hooksett
Is Hooksett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hooksett has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #24 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hooksett flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Hooksett since 1987, $1.2M in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is Hooksett 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 Merrimack County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hooksett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hooksett’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 Hooksett?
By FEMA money that reached Hooksett, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 93 households applied for aid, $131K approved, and $166K to the Town of Hooksett for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $108K.
Is Hooksett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Hooksett’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hooksett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hooksett’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.