Rockingham Meetinghouse · Photo: HABS · Public domainFEMA puts Rockingham’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockingham gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #66 of 71 in Vermont. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Rockingham 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.
What’s behind Rockingham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockingham, and Rockingham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #66 of 71 in Vermont; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rockingham’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Vermont town has lower expected damage than 66% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rockingham has more expected damage per building than 93% of Vermont towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Rockingham: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockingham flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockingham, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $252K
Rockingham 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 Rockingham
Disasters that paid out in Rockingham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rockingham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$76K to the Town of Rockingham for repairs
- 2021Severe Storm and Flooding$549K to the Town of Rockingham for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$2.0M to the Town of Rockingham for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $252K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$21K to the Town of Rockingham for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Rockingham for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Rockingham for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Tropical Storm Floyd$11K to the Town of Rockingham for repairs
Windham County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods.
Old photos of Rockingham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockingham archive →Rockingham and its neighbors
Rockingham is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Springfield | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Charlestown | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Walpole | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rockingham | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bellows Falls | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| North Westminster | — | 125 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grafton | — | 666 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 Rockingham 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 Rockingham
Is Rockingham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockingham has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #66 of 71 in Vermont. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rockingham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Rockingham since 1996, $285K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Rockingham 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 Rockingham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockingham’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 Rockingham?
By FEMA money that reached Rockingham, Tropical Storm Irene (2011): 3 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $2.0M to the Town of Rockingham for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $252K.
Is Rockingham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Rockingham’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockingham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockingham’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.