Natural Disaster Risk in Strafford County

Natural Hazard Profile: Strafford County, New Hampshire

Strafford County is located in the United States in New Hampshire, home to roughly 130,861 residents. The county experiences long, cold winters and brief, warm summers, with heavy nor'easter snowstorms shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Strafford County carries an overall risk score of 6.1/10, placing it in the high category. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. The area also faces notable exposure to ice storm and hurricane.

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

Strafford County's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.