Springdale Farm · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Burnham’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnham gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Burnham 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 Burnham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burnham, and Burnham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burnham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $439K a year in losses across Burnham: $322K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burnham flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burnham, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $106K
Burnham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waldo County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burnham
Disasters that paid out in Burnham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Burnham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$6K to the Town of Burnham for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$11K to the Town of Burnham for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Burnham for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$19K to the Town of Burnham for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$9K to the Town of Burnham for repairs
Waldo 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 Burnham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burnham archive →Burnham and its neighbors
Burnham has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Pittsfield | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Clinton | Cmore damage than 65% | 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 Burnham 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 Burnham
Is Burnham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burnham has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (26%). 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 Burnham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Burnham since 1987, $121K in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (3).
Is Burnham 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 Waldo County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Burnham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burnham’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 Burnham?
By FEMA money that reached Burnham, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $19K to the Town of Burnham for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $106K.
Is Burnham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Burnham’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burnham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burnham’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.