Natural Disaster Risk in Durham

Natural Hazard Profile: Durham, New Hampshire

Durham, in Strafford County, is a city of approximately 15,080 residents situated along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard. Its humid continental climate brings long, cold winters and brief, warm summers, and in particular heavy nor'easter snowstorms. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Durham residents and property owners must navigate.

Durham's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Secondary hazards include ice storm and hurricane.

Within New Hampshire, Durham's risk is, near the 6.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Strafford County identifies coastal flood as the foremost hazard, followed by ice storm and hurricane. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Durham residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for coastal flood and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.