Cheshire County, New Hampshire Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NH
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Cheshire County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 60.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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.
Most of Cheshire County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 1.33 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $861K in expected annual loss and about 22.07 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $438K in expected annual loss and about 1.80 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $27M in expected annual loss for a population of 76K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cheshire County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Cheshire County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding (flood), declared in September 2023.
Among 10 New Hampshire counties, Cheshire County ranks #8 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Cheshire County has received 33 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Storms and Flooding in September 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (8), Snowstorm (7).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| October 2021 | Flood | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| September 2021 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2016 | Fire | Stoddard Fire |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| June 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 33 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Cheshire County had?
FEMA records 33 federal disaster declarations for Cheshire County since 1973, most often 10 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding, declared in September 2023.
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.