Bates, Asa, Memorial Chapel · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0For ice storms, Fairfield’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #115 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairfield, and Fairfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #115 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairfield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Maine town has lower expected damage than 70% of U.S. towns; within the state, Fairfield has more expected damage per building than 80% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Fairfield: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairfield flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairfield, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter8 claims · $151K
Fairfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairfield
Disasters that paid out in Fairfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fairfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding107 households applied for aid$248K aid approved$56K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$24K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$17K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$5K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2005Snow$18K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
Show all 12
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$4K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 2001Snow$18K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs
Somerset County has had 25 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 Fairfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairfield archive →Fairfield and its neighbors
Fairfield is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skowhegan | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Fairfield | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Norridgewock | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Clinton | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Benton | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Smithfield | — | 856 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield
Is Fairfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairfield has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #115 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Fairfield since 1979, $313K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (8).
Is Fairfield 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 Somerset County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fairfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairfield’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 Fairfield?
By FEMA money that reached Fairfield, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 107 households applied for aid, $248K approved, and $56K to the Town of Fairfield for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 8 paid, $151K.
Is Fairfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Fairfield’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairfield’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.