Enter any address in Knox County, Maine to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the dominant flood character in Knox County, ME, with 14 coastal flood events and 2 storm surge/tide events recorded in the last 30 years. Recent examples include extreme coastal flooding on January 13, 2024, which produced record storm tide levels in Portland, and coastal flooding on January 10, 2024, associated with a powerful storm system.
While coastal flooding is prevalent, other flood types have also occurred, including 31 general flood events and 8 flash flood events. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone V have experienced the most claims, with average payouts of $31,646 and $21,990 respectively, and significant average water depths of 6.3 feet and 8.4 feet. Properties in Zone X and Zone UNKNOWN also show a history of claims, though with lower average payouts and water depths.
Residents with properties located along the coast, near rivers, or in areas designated as Zone A or Zone V should pay particular attention to flood risk. Homeowners in areas without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) may also face increased vulnerability.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
44 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Knox County, Maine has recorded 59 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 31 river or area floods. The county has received 31 federal disaster declarations, 10 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 9, 2024 |
| Hurricane Lee | Hurricane | Sep 15, 2023 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Flood | Apr 30, 2023 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2022 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Coastal Storm | Oct 30, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 8, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Feb 23, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 5.00M |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 2.00M |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 7.00M |
| Flash Flood | Jun 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 1, 2023 | 30.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2023 | 690.00K |
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2024
The second severe storm in a week���s time struck the northern New England coastline during the middle of January. An intense and rapidly deepening area of low pressure over the Great Lakes region (979 mb) combined the highest astronomical tides of the month to produce extreme flooding along the coast. Portland had its all-time storm tide, posting a record flood water level (records 1912-...
Flood — Apr 12, 2024
A cold front brought widespread soaking rainfall to the area. This rainfall combined with significant snowpack loss and saturated grounds to produce minor to moderate river flooding, with isolated flash flooding across the mountains. Repeated rounds of rain compressed, warmed, and ripened the area snowpack in advance of the heavier rain on Friday the 12th. The combination of rain, strong winds...
Flood — Mar 10, 2024
A multifaceted storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to the coast, and heavy snow to the mountains on March 10th. A period of heavy rain between daybreak and noon caused excessive runoff and flash flooding in parts of Cumberland County where rainfall totals exceeded 3 inches. Elsewhere, the rain and snowmelt combination resulted in minor river flooding and nuisance overland standing water....
Coastal Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A powerful storm tracked northeast through the Mid Mississippi River Valley on the 9th, rapidly deepening as it approached the southern Great Lakes. Precipitation formed along and ahead of the advancing warm front, which arrived in part of northern New England during the evening of the 9th. High pressure anchored to the north of Maine dammed low level cold air up against the mountains and allow...
Flash Flood — Jun 8, 2024
Numerous showers and thunderstorms developed under the influence of an upper level low on the afternoon of the 8th. An area of localized convection along the Midcoast brought heavy rain to Knox County. Observations taken near Camden Maine recorded instantaneous rain rates up to 3��� an hour, accumulating approximately 1.5 inches|in an hour. The heavy rainfall rates resulted in two road wa...
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 Knox 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 Knox 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.