Photo: Bernt Rostad · CC BY 2.0Fryeburg’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fryeburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #133 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 51 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 Fryeburg 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 Fryeburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fryeburg, and Fryeburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #133 of 143 in Maine; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Fryeburg’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, Fryeburg has more expected damage per building than 93% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Fryeburg: $922K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fryeburg flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fryeburg, from FEMA’s records: 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $57K
Fryeburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oxford County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fryeburg
Disasters that paid out in Fryeburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fryeburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding5 households applied for aid$900 aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$5K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$36K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$5K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$7K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 2005Snow$8K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$9K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 2001Snow$18K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs
Oxford County has had 34 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 Fryeburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fryeburg archive →Fryeburg and its neighbors
Fryeburg is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgton | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Denmark | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brownfield | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fryeburg | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Conway | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Stow | — | 535 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sweden | — | 537 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Chatham | — | 430 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 Fryeburg 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 Fryeburg
Is Fryeburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fryeburg has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #133 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (20%). 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 Fryeburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Fryeburg since 1979, $797K in all, or 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (2).
Is Fryeburg 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 Oxford County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fryeburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fryeburg’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 Fryeburg?
By FEMA money that reached Fryeburg, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 7 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $36K to the Town of Fryeburg for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 2 paid, $57K.
Is Fryeburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Fryeburg’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fryeburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fryeburg’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.