riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Carroll County Disaster Risk

Carroll County, New Hampshire

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 10 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

82th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 82% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Carroll County, New Hampshire

Carroll County Matches National Risk Trends

Carroll County's composite risk score of 70.96 places it slightly above the national average of 69.89 in the "Relatively Low" category. This means residents experience natural disaster exposure comparable to many U.S. counties, with some elevated flood and hurricane concerns.

Mid-Range Risk Among NH Counties

Carroll County ranks fourth among New Hampshire's eight counties with a score of 70.96, sitting just above the state average of 69.89. Its position reflects moderate but not extreme exposure to natural hazards.

Riskier Than Belknap, Safer Than Grafton

Carroll ranks between its neighboring Belknap County (57.38) and Grafton County (81.77), with a notably higher flood risk of 82.00 than Belknap's 70.32. Its proximity to coastal and riverine areas elevates water-related hazards above other nearby counties.

Floods and Hurricanes Lead Threats

Carroll County faces exceptional flood risk at 82.00 and hurricane risk at 86.40, among the state's highest for both hazards. These elevated scores reflect the county's mountain terrain and Atlantic-influenced weather patterns, requiring proactive preparation.

Get Comprehensive Flood and Wind Coverage

Carroll County residents need robust flood insurance and hurricane-resistant homeowners policies given the twin threats of 82.00 flood risk and 86.40 hurricane risk. Standard policies often exclude flood damage, so separate coverage is essential.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Carroll County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    82th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    63th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Carroll County

Risk Verdict

At the 71th percentile nationally, Carroll County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Carroll County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Carroll County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 82th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (63th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile), tornado (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Carroll County's primary hazard, hurricane, ranks at the 86th percentile nationally. Having a designated out-of-area contact, a pre-packed go-bag with medications and documents, and a confirmed evacuation route reduces decision-making load when a storm intensifies rapidly. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 82th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Carroll County independent of hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast cone and local NWS office watches and warnings are the authoritative sources for Carroll County storm tracking; households benefit from bookmarking these before storm season rather than relying on social media during an event.

Regional Context

At 1.1 points from the New Hampshire county mean, Carroll County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Carroll County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Carroll County, NH?
Carroll County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Carroll County?
Carroll County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (86th percentile), flooding (82th percentile), earthquake (63th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile), tornado (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 86th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Carroll County risk compare to the New Hampshire average?
Carroll County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the New Hampshire state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Carroll County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Hampshire.
Is Carroll County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Carroll County's hurricane risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Carroll County is at the 82th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Carroll County higher risk than average?
Carroll County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the New Hampshire state average of 70th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (86th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.