Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, North Hampton 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, North Hampton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #35 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 North 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
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 North Hampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Hampton, and North Hampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B #35 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Hampton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Hampshire town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Hampton has less expected damage per building than 73% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across North Hampton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Hampton flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hampton, from FEMA’s records: 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm12 claims · $119K
North 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: Rockingham County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Hampton
Disasters that paid out in North Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$37K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$7K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Hurricane Irene$4K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$47K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$48K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$38K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$8K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$6K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
- 2001Snow$10K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs
Rockingham County has had 29 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 North Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hampton archive →North Hampton and its neighbors
North Hampton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenland | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Stratham | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| North Hampton | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Rye | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 215 |
| Hampton | Dmore damage than 95% | coastal flooding | 760 |
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 North 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.
- 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 North Hampton
Is North Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hampton has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #35 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 North Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in North Hampton since 1978, $515K in all, or 16.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (12).
Is North 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 Rockingham County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North 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 North Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached North Hampton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 41 households applied for aid, $68K approved, and $38K to the Town of North Hampton for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 12 paid, $119K.
Is North Hampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and North Hampton’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North 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.