Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Farmington’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #112 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Farmington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Farmington 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 Farmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmington, and Farmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #112 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmington’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, Farmington has more expected damage per building than 78% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Farmington: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmington flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmington, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter5 claims · $160K
Farmington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.18 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmington
Disasters that paid out in Farmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Farmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding41 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$483K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$16K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$152K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$55K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$27K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2011Tropical Storm Irene$6K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
Show all 18
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides$19K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$26K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$20K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2005Snow$20K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt and Ice Jams$764 to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$1K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$5K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
Franklin County has had 29 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 Farmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmington archive →Farmington and its neighbors
Farmington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Wilton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chesterville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| New Sharon | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Strong | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Industry | — | 988 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| New Vineyard | — | 607 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Temple | — | 824 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 Farmington 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.
- Farmington residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Farmington
Is Farmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #112 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farmington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Farmington since 1978, $385K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (5).
Is Farmington 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Farmington?
Farmington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Farmington?
By FEMA money that reached Farmington, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 41 households applied for aid, $178K approved, and $483K to the Town of Farmington for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 5 paid, $160K.
Is Farmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Farmington’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmington’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.