Benton Grange #458 · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Benton faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #139 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1987.
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 Benton 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 Benton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benton, and Benton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #139 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Benton’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, Benton has more expected damage per building than 97% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Benton: $832K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Benton, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Benton 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Benton
Disasters that paid out in Benton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Benton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding21 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
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 Benton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benton archive →Benton and its neighbors
Benton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fairfield | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Winslow | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Clinton | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Benton | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Benton 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 Benton
Is Benton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benton has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #139 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Benton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Benton since 1987, $19K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Benton 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 Benton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benton’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 Benton?
By FEMA money that reached Benton, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 21 households applied for aid, $17K approved.
Is Benton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Benton’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benton’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.