Hillsborough County

New Hampshire — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

89.8

National percentile: 90th

Hillsborough County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.8, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $120M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $120M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 423K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Ice Storm
Very High $3M/yr
Lightning
High $2M/yr
Hurricane
Medium $18M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Ice Storm Very High 2.14 / yr $3M
Lightning High 21.14 / yr $2M
Hurricane Medium 0.11 / yr $18M
Riverine Flood Medium 1.68 / yr $76M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $6M
Winter Weather High 18.54 / yr $486K
Strong Wind High 1.05 / yr $3M
Landslide Low 0.96 / yr $39K
Tornado Medium 0.16 / yr $7M
Heat Wave Low 3.76 / yr $2M
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $204K
Cold Wave Medium 1.72 / yr $3M
Drought Low 3.95 / yr $357K
Hail Low 2.37 / yr $473K
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr $28
Coastal Flood 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 Hillsborough County?

Hillsborough County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Hillsborough County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $18M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Hillsborough County compare to other New Hampshire counties?

Hillsborough County ranks #1 of 10 New Hampshire counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Hillsborough County's $120M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.