Enter any address in Hancock County, Maine to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding and general flooding events have been the most frequent types of flooding in Hancock County over the past 30 years, with 23 events each, alongside 17 flash flood events. Recent examples include coastal flooding in January 2024, associated with low-pressure systems tracking across the region and bringing strong winds, and a flash flood event in October 2023, following the remnants of a tropical storm that dropped heavy rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone V and Zone A have experienced the most claims. Zone V claims averaged over $16,000 with water depths around 6 feet, while Zone A claims averaged over $22,000 with water depths around 7.5 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, particularly those in designated V zones, and those located near rivers or in A zones, should pay the most attention to flood risk. Residents in areas with unknown flood zones or X zones also experience claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
34 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Hancock County, Maine has recorded 72 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 17 flash floods and 23 river or area floods. The county has received 39 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1972–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 9, 2024 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 17, 2023 |
| Hurricane Lee | Hurricane | Sep 15, 2023 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 12, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Jun 18, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 15, 2007 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 16, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 10, 2024 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | — |
| Flood | Dec 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 19, 2022 | — |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2024
An area of low pressure developed across southern New England and tracked northward across central Maine during the day on January 13th. Precipitation began as rain across Downeast and snow elsewhere, then gradually transitioned to rain across the state. Strong winds developed during the morning of January 13th, ending across Downeast by early afternoon. The highest wind speeds occurred in the ...
Coastal Flood — Mar 10, 2024
Low pressure tracked east across the Great Lakes through the night of the 9th into the 10th. The low merged with a secondary coastal low during the 10th while lifting to Maine. The low tracked northeast across the Gulf of Maine to the Downeast region during the 10th...crossing the Downeast region that evening...then exiting across the Maritimes during the early morning hours of the 11th. Precip...
Coastal Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A strong area of low pressure tracked across Quebec province on Wednesday, January 10th. Strong southeasterly winds developed late on January 9th, before increasing in intensity during the early morning hours of January 10th. Warm air moved inland after midnight on January 9th, changing snow to rain along the immediate coast, followed by a more gradual change for interior areas throughout the...
Coastal Flood — Dec 18, 2023
Low pressure rapidly intensified while lifting north along the coast from Florida to New England from the 17th into the 18th. The low then tracked across New England...to the west of the region...during the 18th. The low brought unseasonably warm air and abundant moisture across the region. Heavy rains and high winds accompanied the low. The pressure gradient between high pressure across the At...
Tropical Storm — Sep 16, 2023
Tropical Storm Lee transitioned to a post-tropical cyclone while approaching the region. The storm made landfall in extreme southwest Nova Scotia during the afternoon of the 16th...near Long Island...before lifting across New Brunswick. The lowest pressure measured across northern and eastern Maine was 981.3 mb at Eastport in extreme southeast Washington county. A large wind field accompanied t...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Hancock County, Maine:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Hancock County, Maine that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.