Photo: Unknown photographer · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Deer Isle than in 69% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deer Isle gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (33%), then coastal flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 stands out about Deer Isle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Deer Isle faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
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 Deer Isle’s grade
Hurricanes are 33% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deer Isle, and Deer Isle’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 31%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Deer Isle’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $642K a year in losses across Deer Isle: $509K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deer Isle flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Deer Isle, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Deer Isle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Deer Isle
Disasters that paid out in Deer Isle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Deer Isle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$83K to the Town of Deer Isle for repairs
Hancock County has had 18 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 Deer Isle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deer Isle archive →Deer Isle and its neighbors
Deer Isle is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedgwick | A−less damage than 82% | hurricanes | 3 |
| Stonington | B+less damage than 69% | hurricanes | 3 |
| Deer Isle | B+less damage than 69% | hurricanes | 1 |
| North Haven | — | 480 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brooksville | — | 853 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brooklin | — | 869 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Islesboro | — | 636 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Swans Island | — | 438 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 Deer Isle faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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 Deer Isle
Is Deer Isle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deer Isle has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (33%) and coastal flooding (31%). 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 Deer Isle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Deer Isle since 1981, $2K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Deer Isle 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 Hancock County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Deer Isle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deer Isle’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 Deer Isle?
By FEMA money that reached Deer Isle, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 37 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $83K to the Town of Deer Isle for repairs.
Is Deer Isle at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (33%), and Deer Isle’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deer Isle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deer Isle’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.