On FEMA’s figures, Ashland faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Ashland 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
Earthquakes
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 Ashland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashland, and Ashland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ashland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $773K a year in losses across Ashland: $444K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashland, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ashland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Aroostook County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashland
Disasters that paid out in Ashland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ashland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$352 aid approved$35K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2005Snow$6K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2005Snow$6K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$4K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2001Snow$3K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$3K to the Town of Ashland for repairs
Aroostook County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ashland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashland archive →Ashland and its neighbors
Ashland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Castle Hill | — | 281 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Garfield plantation | — | 77 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Nashville plantation | — | 12 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Masardis | — | 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 Ashland 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Ashland
Is Ashland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashland has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (13%). 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 Ashland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Ashland since 1983, $558 in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ashland 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 Aroostook County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ashland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashland’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 Ashland?
By FEMA money that reached Ashland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 2 households applied for aid, $352 approved, and $35K to the Town of Ashland for repairs.
Is Ashland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Ashland’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashland’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.