Lightning Risk in New Hampshire
All New Hampshire counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index lightning score
Lightning risk — electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties — is rated for 10 of 10 New Hampshire counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Belknap County carries the state's highest lightning score at 94.8, with $2M in expected annual lightning losses.
3 New Hampshire counties are rated High or Very High for lightning, and expected annual losses from lightning total roughly $10M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.
County Rankings — Lightning
| # | County | Lightning Score | Rating | Ann. Freq. | Ann. Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belknap County | High | 20.07 / yr | $2M | |
| 2 | Hillsborough County | High | 21.14 / yr | $2M | |
| 3 | Merrimack County | High | 20.57 / yr | $1M | |
| 4 | Grafton County | Medium | 19.69 / yr | $828K | |
| 5 | Cheshire County | Medium | 22.07 / yr | $861K | |
| 6 | Rockingham County | Medium | 19.84 / yr | $911K | |
| 7 | Strafford County | Medium | 20.01 / yr | $715K | |
| 8 | Carroll County | Medium | 19.10 / yr | $467K | |
| 9 | Coos County | Low | 18.71 / yr | $219K | |
| 10 | Sullivan County | Low | 21.00 / yr | $324K |
10 New Hampshire counties with measurable lightning risk. See the national lightning ranking or all New Hampshire counties by overall risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which New Hampshire county has the highest lightning risk?
Belknap County has the highest FEMA lightning risk score in New Hampshire at 94.8 (High), with $2M in expected annual losses and about 20.07 events per year.
How many New Hampshire counties face significant lightning risk?
10 New Hampshire counties record measurable lightning risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 3 of them are rated High or Very High.