Capt. Jonathan Currier House · Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in South Hampton
South Hampton isn’t graded for hazard risk: South Hampton has 984 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2006.
What South Hampton 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does South Hampton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Hampton, from FEMA’s records.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $4K
South Hampton 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Hampton
Disasters that paid out in South Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of South Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$3K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$32K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$14K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$4K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$6K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of South Hampton 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 South Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Hampton archive →South Hampton and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Kensington | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Kingston | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Amesbury | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Seabrook | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Salisbury | Dmore damage than 94% | coastal flooding | 323 |
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 South Hampton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 South Hampton
Does South Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in South Hampton since 2006, $19K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is South Hampton 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 South Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Hampton’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 South Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached South Hampton, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $32K to the Town of South Hampton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $4K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Hampton’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.