Many people think of New Hampshire as a quaint state nestled in the northeastern United States. However, since 2005, the state has experienced a fair share of destructive natural events.
One of the most common types of natural disasters that plagues homes and businesses in New Hampshire is flooding. The state is particularly prone to three types of flooding:
- Flash flooding
- Coastal flooding
- Main stem river flooding
In 2005, severe floods destroyed the town of Alstead, New Hampshire while taking the lives of seven residents. Devastation struck again a few months later when more flooding took place in May 2006, April 2007, and September 2018.
One of the primary reasons why New Hampshire is so prone to flooding is because of its unique location and topography. As weather systems move through the United States, they tend to collide in New Hampshire and stall, where they then dump torrential rain.
New Hampshire also has many small streams and rivers. When storm systems drop heavy rain, these streams tend to overflow quickly. Unfortunately, there are no drainage possibilities available.
The water has nowhere to go except onto roads and lawns. Many of these streams are in highly-populated areas, which is why residents are such at risk for damage from floods.
Because New Hampshire is so far north, the state also tends to suffer from brutal winters. For instance, Manchester, New Hampshire receives an average of 58 inches of snow annually, which is 30 inches more than the national average.
Natural disasters occur as a result of the cold as well. For instance, New Hampshire suffered a natural disaster from a storm in 2007 that brought snow and ice. More than 145,000 homes in New Hampshire lost power. The highest peak in the state, Mount Washington, saw wind chills reach an astounding -85
degrees Fahrenheit.
A year later, another winter storm rolled through the area in December 2008. This storm resulted in more than 400,000 households losing power. People went so long without power that there was a public outcry against the principal electricity supplier in the state.
The New Hampshire Insurance Department exists to verify that insurance companies are solvent enough to make claims and that they obey the law. While the New Hampshire Insurance Department is useful in this regard, the organization cannot control rates for policies like the FAIR Plan.
As natural disasters have become a more severe problem in New Hampshire, high-risk residents should
keep an eye out for FAIR Plan alternatives to make sure that they’re receiving wholesome coverage at
an affordable price.