Frost Garrison and House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Eliot than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eliot gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #73 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Eliot 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
Earthquakes
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 Eliot’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eliot, and Eliot’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #73 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Eliot’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, Eliot has more expected damage per building than 51% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Eliot: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eliot flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eliot, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $117K
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $11K
Eliot isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.17 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eliot
Disasters that paid out in Eliot itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Eliot), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$49K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$10K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$17K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$28K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$32K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
Show all 17
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$14K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$12K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$79K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding16 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$24K to the Town of Eliot for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$32K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2005Snow$17K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$14K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of Eliot for repairs
York County has had 35 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 Eliot after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eliot archive →Eliot and its neighbors
Eliot is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portsmouth | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| York | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 350 |
| Eliot | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| South Berwick | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Kittery | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Dover | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| South Eliot | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Newington | — | 939 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 Eliot 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Eliot
Is Eliot at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eliot has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #73 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (27%). 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 Eliot flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Eliot since 1979, $145K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (4).
Is Eliot 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 York County, 3.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Eliot?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eliot’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 Eliot?
By FEMA money that reached Eliot, Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (2008): $79K to the Town of Eliot for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $117K.
Is Eliot at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Eliot’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eliot.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eliot’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.