Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sanbornton than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sanbornton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #72 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Sanbornton 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 Sanbornton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sanbornton, and Sanbornton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #72 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sanbornton’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, Sanbornton has more expected damage per building than 57% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Sanbornton: $886K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sanbornton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sanbornton, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sanbornton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Belknap County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sanbornton
Disasters that paid out in Sanbornton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sanbornton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$19K to the Town of Sanbornton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Sanbornton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$552 aid approved$64K to the Town of Sanbornton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$33K to the Town of Sanbornton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$47K to the Town of Sanbornton for repairs
Belknap County has had 23 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 Sanbornton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sanbornton archive →Sanbornton and its neighbors
Sanbornton is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meredith | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Laconia | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Sanbornton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Tilton | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| New Hampton | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Franklin | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Belmont | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Hill | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Sanbornton 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 Sanbornton
Is Sanbornton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sanbornton has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #72 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Sanbornton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Sanbornton since 1996, $12K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sanbornton 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 Belknap County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sanbornton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sanbornton’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 Sanbornton?
By FEMA money that reached Sanbornton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 1 households applied for aid, $552 approved, and $64K to the Town of Sanbornton for repairs.
Is Sanbornton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Sanbornton’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sanbornton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sanbornton’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.