Cheshire County
New Hampshire — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Cheshire County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.5, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.33 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Medium | 22.07 / yr | $861K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.80 / yr | $438K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.29 / yr | $20M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $522K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.90 / yr | $513K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.95 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.69 / yr | $83K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $246 |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.57 / yr | $152K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.21 / yr | $370K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.17 / 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 Cheshire County?
Cheshire County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cheshire County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $19K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $861K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $438K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cheshire County compare to other New Hampshire counties?
Cheshire County ranks #8 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. Cheshire County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.