Norton House Historic District · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Falmouth faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falmouth gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #34 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1991.
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 Falmouth 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 Falmouth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Falmouth, and Falmouth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #34 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Falmouth’s residents live in 3 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, Falmouth has less expected damage per building than 77% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Falmouth: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Falmouth flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Falmouth, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $5K
Falmouth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cumberland County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Falmouth
Disasters that paid out in Falmouth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Falmouth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$53K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$52K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$161K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$40K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$44K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$37K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
Show all 16
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$31K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding41 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$135K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$27K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2005Snow$20K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$29K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$40K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$6K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 2001Snow$35K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$868 to the Town of Falmouth for repairs
Cumberland County has had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Falmouth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Falmouth archive →Falmouth and its neighbors
Falmouth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Falmouth | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Cumberland | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Windham | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Westbrook | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Long Island | — | 249 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 Falmouth 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 Falmouth
Is Falmouth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falmouth has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #34 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Falmouth flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Falmouth since 1991, $21K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Falmouth 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 Cumberland County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Falmouth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Falmouth’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 Falmouth?
By FEMA money that reached Falmouth, Severe Storm and Flooding (2017): $161K to the Town of Falmouth for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Falmouth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Falmouth’s rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Falmouth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Falmouth’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.