Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Surry
Surry isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Surry yet. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2012.
What Surry 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
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 Surry flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Surry, from FEMA’s records.
Surry isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cheshire County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surry
Disasters that paid out in Surry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Surry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$271K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2012Severe Storm and Flooding$247K to the Town of Surry for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$20K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the Town of Surry for repairs
- 2001Snow$2K to the Town of Surry for repairs
Cheshire County has had 27 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Cheshire County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Surry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surry archive →Surry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westmoreland | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Alstead | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Keene | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 122 |
| Gilsum | — | 716 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 Surry 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.
- 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 Surry
Does Surry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Surry since 2012, $9K in all.
Is Surry 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 Cheshire County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Surry?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Surry’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 Surry?
By FEMA money that reached Surry, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2013): $271K to the Town of Surry for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surry’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.