Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pittsfield than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsfield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #93 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2006.
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 Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittsfield, and Pittsfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #93 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pittsfield’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, Pittsfield has more expected damage per building than 74% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Pittsfield: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittsfield flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittsfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pittsfield 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pittsfield
Disasters that paid out in Pittsfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pittsfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$3K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$14K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornado, and Flooding$8K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
Show all 12
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$119K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$30K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$5K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs
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 Pittsfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittsfield archive →Pittsfield and its neighbors
Pittsfield is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwood | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Strafford | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Chichester | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Barnstead | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Epsom | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield
Is Pittsfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsfield has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #93 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Pittsfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Pittsfield since 2006, $115K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittsfield’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 Pittsfield?
By FEMA money that reached Pittsfield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 9 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $119K to the Town of Pittsfield for repairs.
Is Pittsfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Pittsfield’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittsfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittsfield’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.