Meredith Public Library · Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Meredith than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meredith gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #19 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1981.
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 Meredith 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 Meredith’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Meredith, and Meredith’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #19 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Meredith’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, Meredith has less expected damage per building than 86% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Meredith: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Meredith flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Meredith, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Meredith 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Meredith
Disasters that paid out in Meredith itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Meredith), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the Town of Meredith for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$43K to the Town of Meredith for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$193K to the Town of Meredith for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$71K to the Town of Meredith for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$36K to the Town of Meredith for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$37K to the Town of Meredith for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$30K to the Town of Meredith for repairs
- 2003Snow$33K to the Town of Meredith 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 Meredith after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Meredith archive →Meredith and its neighbors
Meredith is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Center Harbor | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| New Hampton | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Meredith 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 Meredith
Is Meredith at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meredith has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #19 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Meredith flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Meredith since 1981, $74K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Meredith 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 Meredith?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Meredith’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 Meredith?
By FEMA money that reached Meredith, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $193K to the Town of Meredith for repairs.
Is Meredith at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Meredith’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Meredith.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Meredith’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.