Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 3.0Jay’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jay gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #117 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1987.
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 Jay 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 Jay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jay, and Jay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #117 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jay’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, Jay has more expected damage per building than 82% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Jay: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jay flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jay, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Jay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Jay
Disasters that paid out in Jay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding15 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
Franklin County has had 29 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 Jay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jay archive →Jay and its neighbors
Jay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livermore | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Livermore Falls | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Jay | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wilton | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Canton | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Chesterville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Jay 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 Jay
Is Jay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jay has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #117 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (25%). 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 Jay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Jay since 1987, $2K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Jay 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 Franklin County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Jay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jay’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 Jay?
By FEMA money that reached Jay, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 15 households applied for aid, $50K approved.
Is Jay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Jay’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jay’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.