Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0For coastal flooding, Bath’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bath gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #122 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%), then coastal flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Bath 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
Coastal 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 Bath’s grade
River and rain flooding is 42% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bath, and Bath’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #122 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bath’s residents live in 2 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, Bath has more expected damage per building than 85% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Bath: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bath flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bath, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bath isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sagadahoc County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bath
Disasters that paid out in Bath itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bath), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$56K to the City of Bath for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$39K to the City of Bath for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$33K to the City of Bath for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$58K to the City of Bath for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$115K to the City of Bath for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding24 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$22K to the City of Bath for repairs
- 2001Snow$17K to the City of Bath for repairs
Sagadahoc County has had 19 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 Bath after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bath archive →Bath and its neighbors
Bath 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Topsham | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Bath | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 3 |
| Phippsburg | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 21 |
| Woolwich | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bowdoinham | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bath | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Arrowsic | — | 597 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 Bath 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Bath
Is Bath at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bath has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #122 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (42%) and coastal flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bath flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Bath since 1978, $447K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Bath 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 Sagadahoc County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bath?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bath’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 Bath?
By FEMA money that reached Bath, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $115K to the City of Bath for repairs.
Is Bath at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (42%), and Bath’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bath.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bath’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.