Photo: Troy R. Bennett · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Harpswell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harpswell gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #74 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (47%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Harpswell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Harpswell faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Harpswell’s grade
Coastal flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harpswell, and Harpswell’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #74 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harpswell’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, Harpswell has more expected damage per building than 51% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Harpswell: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harpswell flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harpswell, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter5 claims · $30K
- The “Halloween” storm4 claims · $25K
Harpswell 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harpswell
Disasters that paid out in Harpswell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Harpswell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$10K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding86 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$655K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$7K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$3K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$5K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs
Show all 8
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$11K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding59 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$37K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
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 Harpswell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harpswell archive →Harpswell and its neighbors
Harpswell is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brunswick | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| West Bath | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 3 |
| Phippsburg | B+less damage than 71% | coastal flooding | 21 |
| Harpswell | B+less damage than 69% | coastal flooding | 20 |
| 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 Harpswell faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Harpswell
Is Harpswell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harpswell has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #74 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (47%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harpswell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Harpswell since 1978, $206K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (5).
Is Harpswell 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 Harpswell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harpswell’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 Harpswell?
By FEMA money that reached Harpswell, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 86 households applied for aid, $90K approved, and $655K to the Town of Harpswell for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 5 paid, $30K.
Is Harpswell at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Harpswell’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harpswell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harpswell’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.