Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0For ice storms, Augusta’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Augusta gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #112 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 94 claims here since 1978.
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 Augusta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Augusta 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 Augusta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Augusta, and Augusta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #112 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Augusta’s residents live in 5 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, Augusta has more expected damage per building than 78% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Augusta: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Augusta flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Augusta, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter7 claims · $476K
Augusta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kennebec County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Augusta
Disasters that paid out in Augusta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Augusta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding84 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$208K to the City of Augusta for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$34K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the City of Augusta for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$69K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$39K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$5K to the City of Augusta for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Snow$35K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$2K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$5K to the City of Augusta for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the City of Augusta for repairs
Kennebec County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Augusta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Augusta archive →Augusta and its neighbors
Augusta is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sidney | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chelsea | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Vassalboro | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Augusta | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Hallowell | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
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 Augusta 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 Augusta
Is Augusta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Augusta has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #112 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Augusta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Augusta since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (7).
Is Augusta 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 Kennebec County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Augusta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Augusta’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 Augusta?
By FEMA money that reached Augusta, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 84 households applied for aid, $62K approved, and $208K to the City of Augusta for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 7 paid, $476K.
Is Augusta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Augusta’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Augusta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Augusta’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.