Photo: Andrew Sawyer · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Strafford faces less hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Strafford gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #25 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Strafford 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 Strafford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Strafford, and Strafford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #25 of 126 in New Hampshire; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Strafford’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, Strafford has less expected damage per building than 81% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $777K a year in losses across Strafford: $656K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Strafford flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Strafford, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Strafford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Strafford County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Strafford
Disasters that paid out in Strafford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Strafford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$8K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$44K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornado, and Flooding$33K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$99K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$7K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$10K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
- 2001Snow$10K to the Town of Strafford for repairs
Strafford County has had 20 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 Strafford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Strafford archive →Strafford and its neighbors
Strafford is 2nd of the 7 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 |
| Rochester | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Barrington | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Barnstead | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pittsfield | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Farmington | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Strafford 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 Strafford
Is Strafford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Strafford has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #25 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Strafford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Strafford since 1996, $775 in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Strafford 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 Strafford County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Strafford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Strafford’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 Strafford?
By FEMA money that reached Strafford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): 27 households applied for aid, $22K approved, and $99K to the Town of Strafford for repairs.
Is Strafford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Strafford’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Strafford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Strafford’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.