5,671 flood insurance claims·$86.7M paid·8,370 policies in force
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Maine. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Maine experiences a mixed flood risk profile dominated by riverine floods and flash floods, alongside significant coastal and tropical weather impacts. Over the past 30 years, NOAA recorded 928 general flood events resulting in 5 deaths, 451 flash flood events with 3 deaths, and 227 coastal flood events. Tropical systems also affect the area, including 67 tropical storms causing 1 death, 43 storm surge or tide events, 8 hurricanes, and 3 tropical depressions.
Recent federal disaster declarations underscore this ongoing vulnerability, highlighted by six separate declarations for severe storms and flooding issued on January 9, 2024. The data reflects a combined threat from inland heavy precipitation leading to riverine and flash flooding, as well as coastal hazards driven by tropical storms, storm surges, and high tides.
National Flood Insurance Program records indicate that high-risk Zone A properties face the heaviest financial impact, accounting for 2,732 claims and $51 million paid total, with an average payout of $25,319. Coastal Zone V properties experience the highest average claim costs at $33,347 across 378 claims, totaling $9 million. Meanwhile, properties outside primary high-risk areas account for significant surprise claims. Zones X, X_unshaded, and X_shaded combined represent 1,509 claims and $21 million paid. Furthermore, the "Unknown" category records 1,053 claims totaling $6 million, indicating that flood losses extend well beyond mapped high-risk zones and require careful insurance consideration for all residents.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Maine has received 1,065 federal disaster declarations, including 115 flood and coastal storm declarations and 19 hurricane declarations.
NFIP claims by county, 1978 to date. Source: OpenFEMA. Counties ranked by recorded flood events →
Properties in Maine FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Maine had 8,370 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $1,398 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Maine residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
See the most flood-prone counties in Maine →
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