Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Bucksport’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bucksport gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #121 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Bucksport 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 Bucksport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bucksport, and Bucksport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #121 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bucksport’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, Bucksport has more expected damage per building than 85% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Bucksport: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bucksport flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bucksport, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bucksport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bucksport
Disasters that paid out in Bucksport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bucksport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$9K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Flooding$11K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$20K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs
Hancock County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bucksport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bucksport archive →Bucksport and its neighbors
Bucksport is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holden | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Orrington | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Frankfort | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bucksport | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Orland | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Winterport | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Dedham | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Prospect | — | 923 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Verona Island | — | 481 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 Bucksport 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 Bucksport
Is Bucksport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bucksport has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #121 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) 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 Bucksport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bucksport since 1978, $3K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bucksport 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 Hancock County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bucksport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bucksport’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 Bucksport?
By FEMA money that reached Bucksport, Record And/or Near Record Snow (2005): $20K to the Town of Bucksport for repairs.
Is Bucksport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Bucksport’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bucksport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bucksport’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.