Photo: cappi thompson from Gorham, New Hampshire, USA · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Laconia faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laconia gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #60 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1984.
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 Laconia 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 Laconia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laconia, and Laconia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #60 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laconia’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, Laconia has less expected damage per building than 53% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Laconia: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laconia flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laconia, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $21K
Laconia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Belknap County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laconia
Disasters that paid out in Laconia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Laconia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the City of Laconia for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$40K to the City of Laconia for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the City of Laconia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$10K to the City of Laconia for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$28K to the City of Laconia for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$575K to the City of Laconia for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$34K to the City of Laconia for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$176K to the City of Laconia for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$21K to the City of Laconia for repairs
- 2003Snow$27K to the City of Laconia for repairs
Belknap County has had 23 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 Laconia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laconia archive →Laconia and its neighbors
Laconia is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilford | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Meredith | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Laconia | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Sanbornton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Belmont | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Laconia 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 Laconia
Is Laconia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laconia has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #60 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laconia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Laconia since 1984, $288K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% 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 Laconia 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 Belknap County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Laconia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laconia’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 Laconia?
By FEMA money that reached Laconia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $575K to the City of Laconia for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $21K.
Is Laconia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Laconia’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laconia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laconia’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.