Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Seabrook faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seabrook gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #107 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then coastal flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 stands out about Seabrook’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seabrook 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
Coastal flooding
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 Seabrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seabrook, and Seabrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #107 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seabrook’s residents live in 3 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, Seabrook has more expected damage per building than 85% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Seabrook: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seabrook flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seabrook, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm5 claims · $12K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
Seabrook 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seabrook
Disasters that paid out in Seabrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Seabrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$44K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$100K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$49K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$15K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Hurricane Irene$12K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$19K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$76K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$4K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding104 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$47K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs
- 2001Snow$15K to the Town of Seabrook 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 Seabrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seabrook archive →Seabrook and its neighbors
Seabrook is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton Falls | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Seabrook | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Salisbury | Dmore damage than 94% | coastal flooding | 323 |
| Hampton | Dmore damage than 95% | coastal flooding | 760 |
| Seabrook Beach | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| South Hampton | — | 984 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 Seabrook 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Seabrook
Is Seabrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seabrook has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #107 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and coastal flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seabrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Seabrook since 1979, $286K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (5).
Is Seabrook 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 Seabrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seabrook’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 Seabrook?
By FEMA money that reached Seabrook, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 104 households applied for aid, $116K approved, and $47K to the Town of Seabrook for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 5 paid, $12K.
Is Seabrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Seabrook’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seabrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seabrook’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.