Natural Disaster Risk in Merrimack

Natural Hazard Profile: Merrimack, New Hampshire

Merrimack is a city of approximately 28,176 residents in Hillsborough County, along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard. The area experiences long, cold winters and brief, warm summers, with heavy nor'easter snowstorms shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Merrimack.

FEMA rates Merrimack's composite natural disaster risk at 7.7 out of 10 — high risk. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Residents should also account for hurricane and lightning risk in their preparedness planning.

Merrimack's risk score, slightly above the 6.2/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Hillsborough County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, hurricane, and lightning. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Merrimack residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm 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.