Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Island Falls
Island Falls isn’t graded for hazard risk: Island Falls has 768 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1987.
What Island Falls 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.
Does Island Falls flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Island Falls, from FEMA’s records.
Island Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Aroostook County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Island Falls
Disasters that paid out in Island Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Island Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Island Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$85K aid approved$13K to the Town of Island Falls for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$6K to the Town of Island Falls for repairs
Aroostook County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Island Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Island Falls archive →Island Falls and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal | — | 247 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dyer Brook | — | 275 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Sherman | — | 947 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 Island Falls 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 Island Falls
Does Island Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Island Falls since 1987, $22K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Island Falls 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 Aroostook County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Island Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Island Falls’ 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 Island Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Island Falls, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 20 households applied for aid, $85K approved, and $13K to the Town of Island Falls for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Island Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Island Falls’ 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.