New Hampshire Summary

From 1980–2024 (as of November 1, 2024), there have been 21 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect New Hampshire. These events included 1 drought event, 2 flooding events, 3 severe storm events, 4 tropical cyclone events, and 11 winter storm events. The 1980–2023 annual average is 0.5 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) is 0.8 events (CPI-adjusted).

Billion-dollar events to affect New Hampshire from 1980 to 2024* (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Disaster TypeEventsEvents/​YearPercent FrequencyTotal CostsPercent of Total Costs
Drought10.04.8%$5M-$100M0.6%
Flooding20.09.5%$5M-$100M3.1%
Freeze----------
Severe Storm30.114.3%$100M-$250M7.0%
Tropical Cyclone40.119.0%$250M-$500M19.8%
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm110.252.4%$1.0B-$2.0B69.6%
All Disasters210.5100.0%$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
Drought10.06.3%$5M-$100M0.8%
Flooding20.012.5%$5M-$100M5.3%
Freeze----------
Severe Storm30.118.8%$5M-$100M7.5%
Tropical Cyclone30.118.8%$250M-$500M23.8%
Wildfire----------
Winter Storm70.243.8%$500M-$1.0B62.7%
All Disasters160.4100.0%$1.0B-$2.0B100.0%
Select Time Period Comparisons of New Hampshire Billion-Dollar Drought, Flooding, Freeze, Severe Storm, Tropical Cyclone, Wildfire, and Winter Storm Statistics (CPI-AUnadjusted)
Time PeriodBillion-Dollar DisastersEvents/YearCostPercent of Total Cost
1980s (1980-1989)30.3$5M-$100M3.3%
1990s (1990-1999)70.7$1.0B-$2.0B57.0%
2000s (2000-2009)10.1$100M-$250M4.7%
2010s (2010-2019)60.6$500M-$1.0B24.4%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)40.8$100M-$250M10.6%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)41.3$100M-$250M10.6%
Last Year (2023)33.0$100M-$250M7.5%
All Years (1980-2024)*210.5$2.0B-$5.0B100.0%
1980s (1980-1989)00.0$0M0%
1990s (1990-1999)60.6$500M-$1.0B48.0%
2000s (2000-2009)10.1$5M-$100M5.4%
2010s (2010-2019)50.5$250M-$500M28.6%
Last 5 Years (2019-2023)40.8$100M-$250M17.9%
Last 3 Years (2021-2023)41.3$100M-$250M17.9%
Last Year (2023)33.0$100M-$250M12.7%
All Years (1980-2024)*160.4$1.0B-$2.0B100.0%
Billion-Dollar Events to affect New Hampshire
Event Type Begin
Date
End
Date
Summary CPI-AUnadjusted
Estimated
Cost
(in Billions)
Deaths
East Coast Storm and Flooding
December 2023
FloodingDecember 16, 2023December 18, 2023Powerful east coast storm from Florida to Maine produced widespread impacts from heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds and coastal erosion. The heavy rainfall and snowmelt were amplified by record-high temperatures in the Northeast.$1.3 CI5
Northeastern Flooding and North Central Severe Weather
July 2023
FloodingJuly 9, 2023July 15, 2023Severe storms brought devastation and flooding to portions of the Northeast, as areas reported up to eight inches of rain within a 24-hour period. Montpelier, Vermont received a record-breaking 5.28 inches of rain, flooding the city and damaging thousands of homes and businesses. The wide scale flooding in Vermont was similar to the flood impacts from Hurricane Irene in 2011. Early estimates put the flood damage in West Point, New York at more than $100 ($103.0) million. There was also considerable damage to roads, bridges and agriculture across the Northeast. Severe storms also caused high wind and hail impacts across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.$2.2 CI10
Northeastern Winter Storm/Cold Wave
February 2023
Winter StormFebruary 2, 2023February 5, 2023A strong winter storm produced snow, high winds and bitter cold across numerous Northeastern states. High winds caused widespread power outages in Massachusetts while Mount Washington, New Hampshire observed a wind chill temperature of -108 degrees Fahrenheit. This was one of the coldest wind chill temperatures ever recorded in the United States.$1.8 CI1
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
January 2018
Winter StormJanuary 3, 2018January 5, 2018A Nor'easter caused damage across many Northeastern states including MA, NJ, NY, CT, ME, NH, PA, MD, RI, SC, TN, VA, NC and GA.$1.3 CI22
West/Northeast/Southeast Drought
2016
DroughtJanuary 1, 2016December 31, 2016California's 5-year drought persisted during 2016 while new areas of extreme drought developed in states across the Northeast and Southeast. The long-term impacts of the drought in California have damaged forests where 100+ million trees have perished and are a public safety hazard. The agricultural impacts were reduced in California as water prices and crop fallowing declined. However, agricultural impacts developed in Northeast and Southeast due to stressed water supplies.$4.6 CI0
Central and Eastern Winter storm, Cold Wave
February 2015
Winter StormFebruary 14, 2015February 20, 2015A large winter storm and associated cold wave impacted many central, eastern and northeastern states (CT, DE, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA). The city of Boston was particularly impacted as feet of snow continued to accumulate causing load-stress on buildings and clogging transportation corridors. Total, direct losses in Massachusetts alone exceed $1.0 ($1.3) billion for this event, with considerable damage in many other states.$4.0 CI30
Hurricane Sandy
October 2012
Tropical CycloneOctober 30, 2012October 31, 2012Extensive damage across several northeastern states (MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, RI) due to high wind and coastal storm surge, particularly NY and NJ. Damage from wind, rain and heavy snow also extended more broadly to other states (NC, VA, WV, OH, PA, NH), as Sandy merged with a developing Nor'easter. Sandy's impact on major population centers caused widespread interruption to critical water/electrical services and also caused 159 deaths (72 direct, 87 indirect). Sandy also caused the New York Stock Exchange to close for two consecutive business days, which last happened in 1888 due to a major winter storm.$88.5 CI159
Northeastern Winter Storm
October 2011
Winter StormOctober 29, 2011October 30, 2011Winter storm impacts northeastern states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hamsphire, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.$1.3* CI1
Hurricane Irene
August 2011
Tropical CycloneAugust 26, 2011August 28, 2011Category 1 hurricane made landfall over coastal NC and moved northward along the Mid-Atlantic Coast (NC, VA, MD, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, VT) causing torrential rainfall and flooding across the Northeast. Wind damage in coastal NC, VA, and MD was moderate with considerable damage resulting from falling trees and power lines, while flooding caused extensive flood damage across NJ, NY, and VT. Over seven million homes and businesses lost power during the storm. Numerous tornadoes were also reported in several states further adding to the damage.$18.8 CI45
East/South Severe Weather and Flooding
April 2007
Severe StormApril 13, 2007April 17, 2007Flooding, hail, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms across numerous states (CT, DE, GA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, TX, VT, VA) in mid-April, including 3 "killer" tornadoes.$3.8 CI9
Hurricane Floyd
September 1999
Tropical CycloneSeptember 14, 1999September 16, 1999Large, category 2 hurricane makes landfall in eastern NC, causing 10-20 inch rains in 2 days, with severe flooding in NC and some flooding in SC, VA, MD, PA, NY, NJ, DE, RI, CT, MA, NH, and VT.$12.1 CI77
Central and Eastern Winter Storm
Mid-January 1999
Winter StormJanuary 13, 1999January 16, 1999Winter storm affecting the Central and Eastern states including IL, IN, OH, MI, WV, VA, MD, PA, NJ, NY, MA, CT, VT, NH and ME.$1.7* CI0
Northern Plains and Great Lakes Derecho, Tornadoes
June 1998
Severe StormMay 30, 1998June 2, 1998Severe storms in late May through early June hit the Midwest, North, Northeast, and Southeast$2.2 CI20
Northeast Ice Storm
January 1998
Winter StormJanuary 5, 1998January 9, 1998Intense ice storm hits Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, with extensive forestry losses$2.7 CI16
Mississippi and Ohio Valley Severe Weather and Flooding
March 1997
Severe StormFebruary 28, 1997March 5, 1997Tornadoes and severe flooding hit the states of AR, MO, MS, TN, IL, IN, KY, OH, and WV, with over 10 inches of rain in 24 hours in Louisville.$1.9 CI67
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1994
Winter StormJanuary 17, 1994January 20, 1994Winter storm affects the Southeast and Northeast regions. The states impacted include CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT and WV.$2.2 CI70
East Coast Blizzard and Severe Weather
March 1993
Winter StormMarch 11, 1993March 14, 1993The "Storm of the Century" impacts the entire Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. This historic storm dumped 2-4 feet of snow and caused hurricane force winds across many Eastern and Northeastern states. This caused power outages to over 10 million households. Additional impacts included numerous tornadoes across Florida causing substantial damage. This was the most destructive and costly winter storm to affect the United States (since 1980), until it was surpassed by the February 2021 winter storm and cold wave.$12.2 CI270
Winter Storm, Cold Wave
December 1989
Winter StormDecember 21, 1989December 26, 1989Winter storm and deep cold impacts the Northeast, South and Southeast. The states impacted include AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MO, MS, NC, NH, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT and WV.$1.7* CI100
Hurricane Gloria
September 1985
Tropical CycloneSeptember 26, 1985September 28, 1985Category 2 hurricane makes several landfalls along the eastern seaboard, affecting states from North Carolina to Maine.$2.5* CI11
Midwest/Southeast/Northeast Winter Storm, Cold Wave
January 1982
Winter StormJanuary 8, 1982January 16, 1982Winter storm and cold wave affect numerous states (AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast.$2.2* CI85

Deaths associated with drought are the result of heat waves. (Not all droughts are accompanied by extreme heat waves.)

Flooding events (river basin or urban flooding from excessive rainfall) are separate from inland flood damage caused by tropical cyclone events.

*Statistics valid as of November 1, 2024

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