Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Auburn’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #50 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1979.
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 Auburn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Auburn 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
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 Auburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburn, and Auburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #50 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Auburn’s residents live in 8 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Auburn has less expected damage per building than 65% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Auburn: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburn flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburn, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter6 claims · $208K
Auburn is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Androscoggin County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Auburn
Disasters that paid out in Auburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Auburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding75 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$105K to the City of Auburn for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$79K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$86K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$281K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$41K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$32K to the City of Auburn for repairs
Show all 13
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$11K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$48K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2005Snow$47K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$51K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2003Snow$42K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2001Snow$58K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$111K to the City of Auburn for repairs
Androscoggin County has had 28 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 Auburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburn archive →Auburn and its neighbors
Auburn is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Gloucester | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greene | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lewiston | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Poland | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Durham | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Minot | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Auburn | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
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 Auburn 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.
- 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.
- Auburn 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 Auburn
Is Auburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #50 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Auburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Auburn since 1979, $581K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (6).
Is Auburn 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 Androscoggin County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Auburn?
Auburn 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 Auburn?
By FEMA money that reached Auburn, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $281K to the City of Auburn for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 6 paid, $208K.
Is Auburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Auburn’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburn’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.