Photo: Ken Gallager · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sutton than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Sutton 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 Sutton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sutton, and Sutton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sutton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $831K a year in losses across Sutton: $750K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sutton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sutton, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sutton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Merrimack County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sutton
Disasters that paid out in Sutton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sutton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$12K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$13K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$28K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$129K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$64K to the Town of Sutton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Sutton for repairs
Merrimack County has had 24 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 Sutton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sutton archive →Sutton and its neighbors
Sutton is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New London | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Newbury | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sutton | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Warner | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Wilmot | 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 Sutton 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 Sutton
Is Sutton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sutton has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. 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 Sutton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sutton since 2005, $12K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sutton 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 Merrimack County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sutton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sutton’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 Sutton?
By FEMA money that reached Sutton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $129K to the Town of Sutton for repairs.
Is Sutton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Sutton’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sutton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sutton’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.