Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in East Millinocket than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Millinocket gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1987.
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 Millinocket 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
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 Millinocket’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Millinocket, and East Millinocket’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Millinocket’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $302K a year in losses across East Millinocket: $212K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Millinocket flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Millinocket, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East Millinocket isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Penobscot County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Millinocket
Disasters that paid out in East Millinocket itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Millinocket), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$16K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs
- 2005Snow$11K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$2K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs
Penobscot County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of East Millinocket after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Millinocket archive →East Millinocket and its neighbors
East Millinocket has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Millinocket | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Medway | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Millinocket 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.
- 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 Millinocket
Is East Millinocket at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Millinocket has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (13%). 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 East Millinocket flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in East Millinocket since 1987, $4K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is East Millinocket 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 Penobscot County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in East Millinocket?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Millinocket’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 East Millinocket?
By FEMA money that reached East Millinocket, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): $19K to the Town of East Millinocket for repairs.
Is East Millinocket at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and East Millinocket’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Millinocket.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Millinocket’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.