Photo: Fletcher6 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wakefield than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakefield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #80 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wakefield, and Wakefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #80 of 126 in New Hampshire; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wakefield’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, Wakefield has more expected damage per building than 63% of New Hampshire towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Wakefield: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wakefield flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wakefield, 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.
Wakefield 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wakefield
Disasters that paid out in Wakefield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wakefield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$15K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$164K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to the Town of Wakefield 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 Wakefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wakefield archive →Wakefield and its neighbors
Wakefield is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Newfield | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Milton | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Middleton | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wakefield | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ossipee | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Effingham | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brookfield | — | 567 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Union | — | 131 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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield
Is Wakefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wakefield has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #80 of 126 in New Hampshire. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (22%). 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 Wakefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wakefield since 1997, $14K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wakefield 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 Wakefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wakefield’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 Wakefield?
By FEMA money that reached Wakefield, Severe Storms and Flooding (2007): $164K to the Town of Wakefield for repairs.
Is Wakefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Wakefield’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wakefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wakefield’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.