Greenbush’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenbush gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Greenbush 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 Greenbush’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenbush, and Greenbush’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Greenbush’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $326K a year in losses across Greenbush: $258K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenbush flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenbush, from FEMA’s records: 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Greenbush isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Penobscot County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenbush
Disasters that paid out in Greenbush itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Greenbush), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$3K to the Town of Greenbush for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$4K to the Town of Greenbush for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Penobscot County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Greenbush after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenbush archive →Greenbush and its neighbors
Greenbush has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbush | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Milford | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Passadumkeag | — | 384 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 Greenbush 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 Greenbush
Is Greenbush at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenbush has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Greenbush flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Greenbush since 1979, $22K in all, or 7.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Greenbush 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 Penobscot County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Greenbush?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenbush’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 Greenbush?
By FEMA money that reached Greenbush, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 7 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $4K to the Town of Greenbush for repairs.
Is Greenbush at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Greenbush’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenbush.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenbush’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.