Photo: SayCheeeeeese · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Peterborough than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peterborough gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #106 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 stands out about Peterborough’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Peterborough 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 Peterborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Peterborough, and Peterborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #106 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Peterborough’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, Peterborough has more expected damage per building than 84% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Peterborough: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Peterborough flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Peterborough, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Peterborough is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hillsborough County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Peterborough
Disasters that paid out in Peterborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Peterborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$4K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$230K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$498K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$20K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$24K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Peterborough 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 Peterborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Peterborough archive →Peterborough and its neighbors
Peterborough 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dublin | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Harrisville | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Temple | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hancock | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Peterborough | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Sharon | — | 442 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Peterborough 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.
- Peterborough residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Peterborough
Is Peterborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peterborough has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #106 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Peterborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Peterborough since 1978, $604K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Peterborough 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 Peterborough?
Peterborough is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Peterborough?
By FEMA money that reached Peterborough, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 18 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $498K to the Town of Peterborough for repairs.
Is Peterborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Peterborough’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Peterborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Peterborough’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.