Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Bethel’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethel gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #107 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1981.
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 Bethel 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 Bethel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bethel, and Bethel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #107 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bethel’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, Bethel has more expected damage per building than 75% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Bethel: $850K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bethel flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bethel, from FEMA’s records: 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter6 claims · $188K
Bethel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oxford County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bethel
Disasters that paid out in Bethel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bethel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding36 households applied for aid$310K aid approved$160K to the Town of Bethel for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$15K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$13K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$10K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2005Snow$12K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
Show all 13
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$9K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$255K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2001Snow$12K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$5K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$938 to the Town of Bethel for repairs
Oxford County has had 34 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 Bethel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bethel archive →Bethel and its neighbors
Bethel is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bethel | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Rumford | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Hanover | — | 276 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Newry | — | 177 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Greenwood | — | 781 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 Bethel 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 Bethel
Is Bethel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethel has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #107 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (24%). 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 Bethel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Bethel since 1981, $350K in all, or 8.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (6).
Is Bethel 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 Oxford County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bethel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bethel’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 Bethel?
By FEMA money that reached Bethel, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 36 households applied for aid, $310K approved, and $160K to the Town of Bethel for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 6 paid, $188K.
Is Bethel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Bethel’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bethel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bethel’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.