Enter any address in Penobscot County, Maine to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding, including flash flooding, is a recurring hazard in Penobscot County. Between 2024 and 1994, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 74 flood events and 22 flash flood events. Recent examples include flooding along the Mattawamkeag River in March 2024 due to snowmelt and heavy rain, and flash flooding in July 2024 attributed to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl bringing abundant moisture and heavy rainfall. Coastal flooding also occurred in January 2024, driven by strong southeasterly winds and a strong low-pressure system.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $7,437 and an average water depth of 5.8 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have also seen significant claims, with a higher average payout of $8,334, though with a greater average water depth of 13.0 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED, and properties located near rivers or the coast should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Penobscot County, Maine has recorded 103 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 74 river or area floods. The county has received 71 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Flood | Apr 28, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 9, 2005 |
| Record And/or Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Feb 10, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 14, 2003 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 11, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2023 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 1, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flood — Mar 31, 2024
A combination of snow melt and heavy rain led to minor flooding along the Mattawamkeag River. Flooding developed during the early morning hours of the 31st. The river crested less than a half foot above flood stage during the afternoon of the 31st. The river then remained at around crest levels with minor flooding persisting into early April. The flooding mostly impacted low land areas along th...
Flash Flood — Jul 11, 2024
The extra-tropical remnants of Hurricane Beryl brought abundant moisture to the region while crossing northern Maine during the 11th. Tropical moisture expanded across the region through the night of the 10th into the morning of the 11th with a warm front lifting across the region. Precipitable water values reached near record daily levels. Heavy rain developed during the evening of the 10th an...
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...
Flood — Apr 1, 2024
A combination of heavy rain and snow melt led to minor flooding along portions of the Mattawamkeag River. The river crested less than a half foot above flood stage. Minor flooding persisted into the morning of the 3rd. The flooding was minor...mostly impacting low land areas along the river. This was a continuation of flooding which began on March 31st.
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 Penobscot 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 Penobscot 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.