Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lewiston than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewiston gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #26 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1979.
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 Lewiston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lewiston 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
Earthquakes
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 Lewiston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewiston, and Lewiston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #26 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewiston’s residents live in 13 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, Lewiston has less expected damage per building than 82% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Lewiston: $5.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewiston flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewiston, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter4 claims · $60K
Lewiston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Androscoggin County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewiston
Disasters that paid out in Lewiston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lewiston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding116 households applied for aid$121K aid approved$483K to the City of Lewiston for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$72K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$93K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$234K to the City of Lewiston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$117K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow Melt, and Ice Jams$20K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
Show all 14
- 2005Record Snow$66K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2005Snow$65K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$59K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2003Snow$79K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2002Severe Winter Cold and Frost$106K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2001Snow$77K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$185K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$90K to the City of Lewiston for repairs
Androscoggin County has had 28 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 Lewiston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewiston archive →Lewiston and its neighbors
Lewiston is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greene | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lewiston | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Durham | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sabattus | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Auburn | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Lisbon | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Lewiston 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Lewiston residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lewiston
Is Lewiston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewiston has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #26 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewiston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Lewiston since 1979, $211K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (4).
Is Lewiston 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 Androscoggin County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lewiston?
Lewiston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lewiston?
By FEMA money that reached Lewiston, Severe Storm and Flooding (2023): 116 households applied for aid, $121K approved, and $483K to the City of Lewiston for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 4 paid, $60K.
Is Lewiston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Lewiston’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewiston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewiston’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.