Abel Jones House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, China faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, China gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #46 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1983.
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 China 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 China’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in China, and China’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #46 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of China’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, China has less expected damage per building than 68% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across China: $913K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does China flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in China, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
China isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kennebec County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to China
Disasters that paid out in China itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of China), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding11 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$94K to the Town of China for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$10K to the Town of China for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$31K to the Town of China for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$12K to the Town of China for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$6K to the Town of China for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$5K to the Town of China for repairs
Kennebec 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 China after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the China archive →China and its neighbors
China 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Albion | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Windsor | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Palermo | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Vassalboro | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Winslow | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
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 China 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 China
Is China at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, China has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #46 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (21%). 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 China flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in China since 1983, $5K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is China 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 Kennebec County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in China?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for China’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 China?
By FEMA money that reached China, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 11 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $94K to the Town of China for repairs.
Is China at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and China’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in China.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where China’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.