Photo: Ascended Dreamer · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, New London faces less hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New London gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #6 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 London 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 London’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in New London, and New London’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #6 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New London’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, New London has less expected damage per building than 96% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across New London: $922K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New London flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New London, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New London 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New London
Disasters that paid out in New London itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New London), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$15K to the Town of New London for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of New London for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$10K to the Town of New London for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$17K to the Town of New London for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$63K to the Town of New London for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$81K to the Town of New London for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 New London after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New London archive →New London and its neighbors
New London has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| New London | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sunapee | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Sutton | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Newbury | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Springfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wilmot | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 London 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 London
Is New London at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New London has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #6 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New London flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in New London since 2007, $14K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is New London 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 New London?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New London’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 London?
By FEMA money that reached New London, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 5 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $81K to the Town of New London for repairs.
Is New London at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and New London’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New London.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New London’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.