Strafford County

New Hampshire — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

64.1

National percentile: 64th

Strafford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.1, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $29M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 131K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Ice Storm
High $951K/yr
Earthquake
Low $2M/yr
Hurricane
Low $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Ice Storm High 2.29 / yr $951K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $2M
Hurricane Low 0.13 / yr $1M
Riverine Flood Medium 0.71 / yr $21M
Lightning Medium 20.01 / yr $715K
Drought Medium 4.78 / yr $509K
Landslide Very Low 0.40 / yr $4K
Heat Wave Low 3.64 / yr $442K
Winter Weather Low 19.39 / yr $75K
Coastal Flood Low 3.63 / yr $57K
Strong Wind Low 0.72 / yr $549K
Tornado Low 0.04 / yr $1M
Cold Wave Low 1.63 / yr $861K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $23K
Hail Very Low 1.87 / yr $88K
Avalanche 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 Strafford County?

Strafford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Strafford County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $951K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Strafford County compare to other New Hampshire counties?

Strafford County ranks #7 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. Strafford County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.