Belknap County, New Hampshire Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NH
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Belknap County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 20.07 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $668K in expected annual loss and about 1.84 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.09 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 64K.
Beyond physical exposure, Belknap County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Belknap County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 13 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (winter storm), declared in July 2024.
Among 10 New Hampshire counties, Belknap County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Belknap County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm and Flooding in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (13), Hurricane (6), Flood (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| March 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| June 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Belknap County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Belknap County since 1973, most often 13 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm and Flooding, declared in July 2024.
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.