Photo: Public domain · Public domainFor coastal flooding, Georgetown’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgetown gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%), then coastal flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1980.
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 Georgetown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Georgetown 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
Coastal 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 Georgetown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in Georgetown, and Georgetown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 29%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Georgetown’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $325K a year in losses across Georgetown: $294K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Georgetown flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Georgetown, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $753
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $3K
Georgetown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sagadahoc County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Georgetown
Disasters that paid out in Georgetown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Georgetown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$34K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$80K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$27K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$2K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$45K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Sagadahoc County has had 19 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 Georgetown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Georgetown archive →Georgetown and its neighbors
Georgetown is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phippsburg | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 21 |
| Woolwich | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Georgetown | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Arrowsic | — | 597 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Westport Island | — | 835 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Southport | — | 550 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 Georgetown 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.
- 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.
- 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 Georgetown
Is Georgetown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgetown has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (38%) and coastal flooding (29%). 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 Georgetown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Georgetown since 1980, $399K in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Georgetown 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 Sagadahoc County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Georgetown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Georgetown’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 Georgetown?
By FEMA money that reached Georgetown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 25 households applied for aid, $73K approved, and $34K to the Town of Georgetown for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $753.
Is Georgetown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and Georgetown’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Georgetown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Georgetown’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.