Belknap County
New Hampshire — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Belknap County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.4, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 20.07 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.84 / yr | $668K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.16 / yr | $208K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.59 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.04 / yr | $16M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $550K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.53 / yr | $315K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.80 / yr | $466K |
| Drought | Low | 1.17 / yr | $47K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $577K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.05 / yr | $675K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $25 |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.96 / yr | $65K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Belknap County?
Belknap County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Belknap County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $668K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Belknap County compare to other New Hampshire counties?
Belknap County ranks #9 of 10 New Hampshire counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Belknap County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.