District No. 5 School · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Alfred than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alfred gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #65 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 stands out about Alfred’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alfred 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 Alfred’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alfred, and Alfred’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #65 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Alfred’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, Alfred has less expected damage per building than 55% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $593K a year in losses across Alfred: $511K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alfred flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alfred, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Alfred is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: York County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alfred
Disasters that paid out in Alfred itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Alfred), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$255K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$12K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$24K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$13K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
Show all 17
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$36K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$67K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$24K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding13 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$807K to the Town of Alfred for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$72K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$71K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2005Snow$16K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Alfred for repairs
- 2001Snow$10K to the Town of Alfred 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 Alfred after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alfred archive →Alfred and its neighbors
Alfred is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapleigh | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lyman | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sanford | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Waterboro | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Alfred | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Alfred 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.
- Alfred residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Alfred
Is Alfred at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alfred has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #65 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (27%). 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 Alfred flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Alfred since 2007, $1K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Alfred 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 Alfred?
Alfred is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Alfred?
By FEMA money that reached Alfred, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 13 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $807K to the Town of Alfred for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Alfred at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Alfred’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alfred.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alfred’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.