Photo: Artsistra · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Portland than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #145 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 47 claims here since 1983.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Portland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Portland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Portland, and Portland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #145 of 155 in Connecticut; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Portland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Connecticut town has higher expected damage than 62% of U.S. towns; within the state, Portland has more expected damage per building than 94% of Connecticut towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Portland: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Portland flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Portland, from FEMA’s records: 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $171K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $39K
Portland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: the county.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Portland
Disasters that paid out in Portland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Portland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$236K to the Town of Portland for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$44K to the Town of Portland for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$20K to the Town of Portland for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$202K to the Town of Portland for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$73K to the Town of Portland for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $171K
- 2005Record Snow$33K to the Town of Portland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$24K to the Town of Portland for repairs
Old photos of Portland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Portland archive →Portland and its neighbors
Portland is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Hampton | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Glastonbury | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Cromwell | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Portland | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Middletown | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Portland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Portland
Is Portland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Portland has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #145 of 155 in Connecticut. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Portland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Portland since 1983, $1.3M in all, or 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Portland in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In the county, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Portland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Portland’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Portland?
By FEMA money that reached Portland, Tropical Storm Isaias (2020): $236K to the Town of Portland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $171K.
Is Portland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Portland’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Portland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Portland’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.