Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Tamworth than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tamworth gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #103 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1998.
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 Tamworth 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 Tamworth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tamworth, and Tamworth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #103 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tamworth’s residents live in 2 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, Tamworth has more expected damage per building than 82% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Tamworth: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tamworth flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tamworth, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $11K
Tamworth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carroll County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tamworth
Disasters that paid out in Tamworth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tamworth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$43K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$66K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$33K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $11K
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$98K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$211 aid approved$17K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Record Snow$4K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$14K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs
Carroll County has had 28 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 Tamworth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tamworth archive →Tamworth and its neighbors
Tamworth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moultonborough | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Madison | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tamworth | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Ossipee | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Sandwich | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Albany | — | 790 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 Tamworth 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 Tamworth
Is Tamworth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tamworth has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #103 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tamworth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Tamworth since 1998, $65K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Tamworth 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 Carroll County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tamworth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tamworth’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 Tamworth?
By FEMA money that reached Tamworth, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $98K to the Town of Tamworth for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $11K.
Is Tamworth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Tamworth’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tamworth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tamworth’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.