Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Harrison’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrison gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #55 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Harrison 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
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 Harrison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrison, and Harrison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #55 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Harrison’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, Harrison has less expected damage per building than 62% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $479K a year in losses across Harrison: $375K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrison flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrison, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Harrison 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 Harrison
Disasters that paid out in Harrison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Harrison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$49K to the Town of Harrison for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding17 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$104K to the Town of Harrison for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Record Snow$11K to the Town of Harrison for repairs
- 2005Snow$19K to the Town of Harrison for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Harrison for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$16K to the Town of Harrison for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Harrison for repairs
- 2001Snow$16K to the Town of Harrison 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 Harrison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrison archive →Harrison and its neighbors
Harrison is 3rd of the 6 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 |
| Naples | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Harrison | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Norway | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Otisfield | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Waterford | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Harrison 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.
- 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 Harrison
Is Harrison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrison has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #55 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (19%). 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 Harrison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Harrison since 1996, $33K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Harrison 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 Harrison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrison’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 Harrison?
By FEMA money that reached Harrison, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 17 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $104K to the Town of Harrison for repairs.
Is Harrison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Harrison’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrison’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.