Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0For coastal flooding, Bowdoinham’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bowdoinham gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #104 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Bowdoinham 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
Coastal flooding
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 Bowdoinham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bowdoinham, and Bowdoinham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B #104 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bowdoinham’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, Bowdoinham has more expected damage per building than 73% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $780K a year in losses across Bowdoinham: $662K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bowdoinham flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bowdoinham, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $35K
Bowdoinham 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bowdoinham
Disasters that paid out in Bowdoinham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bowdoinham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$14K to the Town of Bowdoinham for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$12K to the Town of Bowdoinham for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$13K to the Town of Bowdoinham for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$27K to the Town of Bowdoinham for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$9K to the Town of Bowdoinham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Bowdoinham 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 Bowdoinham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bowdoinham archive →Bowdoinham and its neighbors
Bowdoinham is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsham | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Woolwich | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bowdoin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bowdoinham | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Bath | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Richmond | C+more damage than 58% | 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 Bowdoinham 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.
- 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.
- 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 Bowdoinham
Is Bowdoinham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bowdoinham has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #104 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (19%). 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 Bowdoinham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Bowdoinham since 1987, $68K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Bowdoinham 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 Bowdoinham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bowdoinham’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 Bowdoinham?
By FEMA money that reached Bowdoinham, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $27K to the Town of Bowdoinham for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $35K.
Is Bowdoinham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Bowdoinham’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bowdoinham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bowdoinham’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.