Strafford County, New Hampshire Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NH
LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Strafford County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 64.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $951K in expected annual loss and about 2.29 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $29M in expected annual loss for a population of 131K.
Beyond physical exposure, Strafford 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.
History supports the rating: Strafford County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 9 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 10 New Hampshire counties, Strafford County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Strafford County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Snowstorm (5), Hurricane (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2018 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Strafford County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Strafford County since 1973, most often 9 for severe storm events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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.