Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pelham than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #81 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 Pelham 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 Pelham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pelham, and Pelham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #81 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pelham’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, Pelham has more expected damage per building than 64% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Pelham: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pelham flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pelham, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $12K
Pelham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pelham
Disasters that paid out in Pelham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pelham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$46K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$12K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$68K to the Town of Pelham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$23K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$60K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$11K to the Town of Pelham for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$211K aid approved$71K to the Town of Pelham for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$20K to the Town of Pelham for repairs
Hillsborough County has had 26 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 Pelham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pelham archive →Pelham and its neighbors
Pelham is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windham | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Methuen | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| Salem | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
| Dracut | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Hudson | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Pelham | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
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 Pelham 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 Pelham
Is Pelham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pelham has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #81 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pelham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Pelham since 1979, $498K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is Pelham 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 Hillsborough County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pelham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pelham’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 Pelham?
By FEMA money that reached Pelham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 95 households applied for aid, $211K approved, and $71K to the Town of Pelham for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Pelham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Pelham’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pelham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pelham’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.