Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0For coastal flooding, Kennebunk’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennebunk gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #90 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 261 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 Kennebunk’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kennebunk 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
Coastal flooding
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 Kennebunk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kennebunk, and Kennebunk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #90 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kennebunk’s residents live in 3 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, Kennebunk has more expected damage per building than 63% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Kennebunk: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kennebunk flood? Yes: 261 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kennebunk, from FEMA’s records: 40.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm61 claims · $915K
- The April 2007 nor’easter28 claims · $845K
Kennebunk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.19 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kennebunk
Disasters that paid out in Kennebunk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kennebunk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$32K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2022Severe Storm and Flooding$88K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storm and Flooding$1.5M to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storm and Flooding$31K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$34K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
Show all 19
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$41K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$56K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$92K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$20K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding52 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding76 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$63K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$62K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2005Snow$29K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$36K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$45K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
- 2001Snow$31K to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs
York County has had 35 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Kennebunk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kennebunk archive →Kennebunk and its neighbors
Kennebunk is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arundel | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Kennebunk | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 261 |
| Wells | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 468 |
| Kennebunkport | C+more damage than 63% | coastal flooding | 175 |
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 Kennebunk 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kennebunk
Is Kennebunk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kennebunk has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #90 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kennebunk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 261 claims in Kennebunk since 1978, $6.8M in all, or 40.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 36 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (61).
Is Kennebunk 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 York County, 3.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Kennebunk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kennebunk’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 Kennebunk?
By FEMA money that reached Kennebunk, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 37 households applied for aid, $76K approved, and $1.6M to the Town of Kennebunk for repairs. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 61 paid, $915K.
Is Kennebunk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Kennebunk’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kennebunk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kennebunk’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.