Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainFEMA puts Buxton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buxton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #21 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Buxton 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
Earthquakes
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 Buxton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buxton, and Buxton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #21 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Buxton’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, Buxton has less expected damage per building than 86% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Buxton: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buxton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buxton, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $4K
Buxton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buxton
Disasters that paid out in Buxton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Buxton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$38K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$19K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$10K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$32K to the Town of Buxton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 13
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$79K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding48 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$56K to the Town of Buxton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$3K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2005Snow$24K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$26K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$23K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$2K to the Town of Buxton for repairs
York County has had 35 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 Buxton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buxton archive →Buxton and its neighbors
Buxton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dayton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Standish | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Gorham | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Saco | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Hollis | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Buxton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Buxton
Is Buxton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buxton has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #21 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Buxton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Buxton since 1987, $18K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% 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 Buxton 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 York County, 3.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Buxton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buxton’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 Buxton?
By FEMA money that reached Buxton, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 48 households applied for aid, $36K approved, and $56K to the Town of Buxton for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Buxton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Buxton’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buxton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buxton’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.