Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clinton than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #137 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1979.
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 Clinton 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 Clinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton, and Clinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #137 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clinton’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, Clinton has more expected damage per building than 96% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Clinton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Clinton 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding26 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$7K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$35K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$2K to the Town of Clinton for repairs
- 2003Snow$3K to the Town of Clinton 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 Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton archive →Clinton and its neighbors
Clinton is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canaan | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fairfield | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| 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 |
| Benton | Cmore damage than 66% | 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 Clinton 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 Clinton
Is Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #137 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Clinton since 1979, $111K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Clinton 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 Clinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton’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 Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton, Severe Storm and Flooding (2017): $35K to the Town of Clinton for repairs.
Is Clinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Clinton’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton’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.