Photo: Lucien P. Burleigh (1853-1923) · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bridgton than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #1 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
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 Bridgton 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 Bridgton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgton, and Bridgton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #1 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgton’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, Bridgton has less expected damage per building than 100% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $897K a year in losses across Bridgton: $682K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgton, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $8K
Bridgton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cumberland County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgton
Disasters that paid out in Bridgton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bridgton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$87K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$9K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$16K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$23K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$81K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 13
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding16 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$70K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$12K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2005Snow$15K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$17K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$13K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
- 2001Snow$19K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs
Cumberland County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bridgton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgton archive →Bridgton and its neighbors
Bridgton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgton | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Naples | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Harrison | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Waterford | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Denmark | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fryeburg | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Sweden | — | 537 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 Bridgton 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 Bridgton
Is Bridgton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgton has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #1 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bridgton since 2007, $17K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Bridgton 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 Cumberland County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgton’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 Bridgton?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgton, Severe Winter Storm (2024): $87K to the Town of Bridgton for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Bridgton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Bridgton’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgton’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.