Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0East Machias’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Machias gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then hurricanes (33%). 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 East Machias 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
Coastal 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 East Machias’ grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Machias, and East Machias’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Machias’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $385K a year in losses across East Machias: $309K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Machias flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in East Machias. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
East Machias 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Machias
Disasters that paid out in East Machias itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Machias), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the Town of East Machias for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$8K to the Town of East Machias for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of East Machias 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 East Machias after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Machias archive →East Machias and its neighbors
East Machias is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machiasport | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Machias | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Marshfield | — | 499 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 East Machias 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.
- 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.
- 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 East Machias
Is East Machias at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Machias has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and hurricanes (33%). 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 East Machias 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 East Machias?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Machias’ 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 East Machias?
By FEMA money that reached East Machias, Severe Storms and Flooding (2010): $27K to the Town of East Machias for repairs.
Is East Machias at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and East Machias’ rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Machias.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Machias’ 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.