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

Cheshire County Disaster Risk

Cheshire County, New Hampshire

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 10 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Cheshire Below Average on Disaster Risk

Cheshire County's composite risk score of 60.50 sits solidly below the national average of 69.89 in the "Relatively Low" category. Residents enjoy one of the lowest natural disaster risk profiles in the United States.

Second Safest County in New Hampshire

Cheshire County ranks second-lowest among New Hampshire's eight counties with a composite score of 60.50, trailing only Belknap County (57.38). Its position reflects notably safer conditions compared to the state average of 69.89.

Safest in Southwest New Hampshire

Cheshire County's 60.50 score makes it significantly safer than Merrimack County to the north (78.21) and comparable to Belknap across the state. Its southwestern location provides natural protection against major hazard zones.

Floods and Hurricanes Are Primary Concerns

Cheshire County's highest risks are flood (74.84) and hurricane (76.05), typical for New Hampshire's exposed counties. Tornado risk at 43.64 is elevated compared to Belknap but remains moderate statewide.

Secure Flood and Wind Coverage

Despite low overall risk, Cheshire residents should maintain separate flood insurance and comprehensive hurricane coverage given flood and hurricane scores of 74.84 and 76.05. Even low-risk counties benefit from protection against these costly events.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cheshire County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Cheshire County

Risk Verdict

Cheshire County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Cheshire County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Cheshire County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (58th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Cheshire County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 76th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Flood at the 75th percentile nationally is Cheshire County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Cheshire County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The New Hampshire county average exceeds Cheshire County's score by 9.4 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Cheshire 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 Cheshire County, NH?
Cheshire County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Cheshire County?
Cheshire County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (76th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 76th 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 Cheshire County risk compare to the New Hampshire average?
Cheshire County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the New Hampshire state average of 70th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Cheshire County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Hampshire.
Is Cheshire County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Cheshire County's hurricane risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cheshire County is at the 75th 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.
Is Cheshire County a safe place to live?
Cheshire County's composite risk score of 60th percentile is below the New Hampshire state average of 70th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Belknap County

New Hampshire

-3.1

Relatively Low

57th percentile

Strafford County

New Hampshire

+3.6

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Carroll County

New Hampshire

+10.5

Relatively Low

71th percentile

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.

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