Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in New Hampton than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Hampton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 New Hampton 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 New Hampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Hampton, and New Hampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New Hampton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across New Hampton: $855K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Hampton flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Hampton, from FEMA’s records: 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $29K
New Hampton 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 New Hampton
Disasters that paid out in New Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$102K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$6K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$7K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$436K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$34K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$927 aid approved$13K to the Town of New Hampton 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 New Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Hampton archive →New Hampton and its neighbors
New Hampton is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| 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 |
| Bristol | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bridgewater | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hill | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 New Hampton 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 New Hampton
Is New Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Hampton has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 New Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in New Hampton since 1978, $93K in all, or 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is New Hampton 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 New Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Hampton’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 New Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached New Hampton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $436K to the Town of New Hampton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $29K.
Is New Hampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and New Hampton’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Hampton’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.