Coos County Disaster Risk
Coos County, New Hampshire
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
73th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#5
of 10 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
78th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County Slightly Above National Average
Coos County scores 72.77, just 2.88 points above the national average of 69.89, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category. This northern county experiences natural disaster exposure comparable to many U.S. regions.
Mid-Tier Risk Among New Hampshire
Coos County ranks fifth among New Hampshire's eight counties with a composite score of 72.77, slightly above the state average of 69.89. Its position reflects moderate exposure to natural hazards, primarily driven by flood and hurricane risks.
Safer Than Grafton, Higher Than Belknap
Coos County (72.77) sits between neighboring Grafton County's elevated 81.77 and Belknap's lowest 57.38. Its flood risk of 77.64 exceeds most neighbors except Grafton, while its very low tornado risk of 10.62 reflects its northern inland location.
Floods and Hurricanes Dominate Risk Profile
Coos County faces significant flood risk at 77.64 and hurricane risk at 77.05, driven by its proximity to coastal influences and major river valleys. Notably, tornado risk of just 10.62 is the state's lowest, providing protection against severe storms.
Prioritize Flood and Hurricane Insurance
Coos County residents should maintain comprehensive flood insurance and hurricane-resistant homeowners coverage given flood and hurricane scores of 77.64 and 77.05. The county's very low tornado risk means standard wind coverage is typically sufficient.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Coos County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Coos County
Risk Verdict
Coos County ranks at the 73th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Coos County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 77th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (49th percentile), wildfire (16th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Coos County sits at the 78th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 77th percentile nationally, means Coos County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Regardless of specific hazard, Coos County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 2.9 points from the New Hampshire average, making Coos County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Coos County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Coos County, NH?
What types of natural hazards affect Coos County?
How does Coos County risk compare to the New Hampshire average?
Is Coos County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Coos County higher risk than average?
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.