Photo: Wesman83 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Plaistow than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plaistow gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #10 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 Plaistow 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
Earthquakes
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 Plaistow’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plaistow, and Plaistow’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #10 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plaistow’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, Plaistow has less expected damage per building than 93% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Plaistow: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plaistow flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plaistow, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $22K
Plaistow 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.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plaistow
Disasters that paid out in Plaistow itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Plaistow), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$44K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$39K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$8K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
Show all 14
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$23K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$114K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$3K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$23K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$24K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2003Snow$18K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs
- 2001Snow$31K to the Town of Plaistow 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 Plaistow after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plaistow archive →Plaistow and its neighbors
Plaistow 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampstead | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Newton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Atkinson | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kingston | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Plaistow | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Haverhill | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
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 Plaistow 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Plaistow
Is Plaistow at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plaistow has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plaistow flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Plaistow since 2023, $22K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is Plaistow 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 Plaistow?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plaistow’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 Plaistow?
By FEMA money that reached Plaistow, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $114K to the Town of Plaistow for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Plaistow at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Plaistow’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plaistow.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plaistow’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.