Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Dover faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2009.
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 Dover 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 Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dover’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $698K a year in losses across Dover: $523K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $184K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $9K
Dover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Windham County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$203K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene1 households applied for aid$453K to the Town of Dover for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $184K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$35K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$136K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Town of Dover for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Tropical Storm Floyd$10K to the Town of Dover for repairs
Windham County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Dover and its neighbors
Dover has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Marlboro | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wilmington | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Newfane | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Wardsboro | — | 820 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stratton | — | 532 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 Dover 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 Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (9%). 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 Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Dover since 2009, $200K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Dover 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 Windham County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’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 Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $453K to the Town of Dover for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $184K.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Dover’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’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.