Lincoln School · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Acton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Acton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #27 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 2000.
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 Acton 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
Ice storms
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 Acton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Acton, and Acton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #27 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Acton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Acton has less expected damage per building than 82% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $416K a year in losses across Acton: $345K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Acton flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Acton, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $22K
Acton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Acton
Disasters that paid out in Acton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Acton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$58K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$11K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$20K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$14K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$15K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$16K to the Town of Acton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 15
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$77K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$5K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$56K to the Town of Acton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$7K to the Town of Acton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$29K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2005Snow$8K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$10K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$7K to the Town of Acton for repairs
- 2001Snow$13K to the Town of Acton for repairs
York County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Acton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Acton archive →Acton and its neighbors
Acton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Newfield | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Shapleigh | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lebanon | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Milton | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Wakefield | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Milton Mills | — | 72 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 Acton 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Acton
Is Acton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Acton has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #27 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (26%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Acton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Acton since 2000, $109K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Acton 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 York County, 3.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Acton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Acton’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 Acton?
By FEMA money that reached Acton, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $77K to the Town of Acton for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $22K.
Is Acton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Acton’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Acton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Acton’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.