Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Calais’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calais gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #124 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (29%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Calais 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 Calais’ grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Calais, and Calais’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #124 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Calais’ 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, Calais has more expected damage per building than 87% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $628K a year in losses across Calais: $488K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Calais flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Calais. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Calais isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calais
Disasters that paid out in Calais itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Calais), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$82K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$13K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$185K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$1K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$15K to the City of Calais for repairs
Show all 12
- 2003Snow$8K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2003Snow$7K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$5K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$8K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2001Snow$15K to the City of Calais for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$11K to the City of Calais for repairs
Washington County has had 20 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 Calais after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calais archive →Calais and its neighbors
Calais has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calais | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Baring plantation | — | 166 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Robbinston | — | 621 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 Calais 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 Calais
Is Calais at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calais has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #124 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (29%). 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.
Is Calais 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 Washington County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Calais?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calais’ 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 Calais?
By FEMA money that reached Calais, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $185K to the City of Calais for repairs.
Is Calais at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Calais’ rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calais.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calais’ 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.