Photo: Seasider53 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Freeport faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #3 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Freeport 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
Coastal flooding
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 Freeport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freeport, and Freeport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A #3 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freeport’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, Freeport has less expected damage per building than 99% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Freeport: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freeport flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freeport, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
Freeport 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.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freeport
Disasters that paid out in Freeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Freeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$84K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$149K aid approved
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$129K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$31K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$91K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
Show all 15
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$327K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding29 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$91K to the Town of Freeport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$14K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2005Snow$15K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$19K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$20K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 2001Snow$23K to the Town of Freeport for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the Town of Freeport 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 Freeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freeport archive →Freeport and its neighbors
Freeport has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brunswick | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pownal | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Durham | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Harpswell | B+less damage than 69% | coastal flooding | 20 |
| Yarmouth | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Chebeague Island | — | 555 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 Freeport 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Freeport
Is Freeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #3 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Freeport since 1978, $11K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Freeport 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 Freeport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freeport’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 Freeport?
By FEMA money that reached Freeport, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2008): $327K to the Town of Freeport for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Freeport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Freeport’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freeport’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.