Storms, floods and disasters in Pontoosuc
Pontoosuc isn’t graded for hazard risk: Pontoosuc has 108 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 66 claims here since 1993.
What Pontoosuc 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
Strong wind
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.
Does Pontoosuc flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pontoosuc, from FEMA’s records.
- The Mid-spring storms5 claims · $54K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $15K
Pontoosuc isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pontoosuc
Disasters that paid out in Pontoosuc itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pontoosuc), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$5K to the Village of Pontoosuc for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1K to the Village of Pontoosuc for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding47 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$24K to the Village of Pontoosuc for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Flooding$29K to the Village of Pontoosuc for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Hancock County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pontoosuc after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pontoosuc archive →Pontoosuc and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontoosuc Township | — | 258 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Pontoosuc 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Pontoosuc
Does Pontoosuc flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Pontoosuc since 1993, $1.1M in all. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (5).
Is Pontoosuc 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 Hancock County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pontoosuc?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pontoosuc’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 Pontoosuc?
By FEMA money that reached Pontoosuc, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 47 households applied for aid, $218K approved, and $24K to the Village of Pontoosuc for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 5 paid, $54K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pontoosuc.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pontoosuc’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.