Photo: John Phelan · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lyman than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lyman gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #32 of 143 in Maine. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (29%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Lyman 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 Lyman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lyman, and Lyman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 8%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #32 of 143 in Maine; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lyman’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, Lyman has less expected damage per building than 78% of Maine towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $847K a year in losses across Lyman: $695K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lyman flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lyman, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lyman 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lyman
Disasters that paid out in Lyman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lyman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Winter Storm$91K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$25K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$18K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding35 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$45K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
Show all 12
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$8K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2005Snow$14K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$13K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2005Record And/or Near Record Snow$12K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Lyman for repairs
- 2001Snow$12K to the Town of Lyman 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 Lyman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lyman archive →Lyman and its neighbors
Lyman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lyman | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Waterboro | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Alfred | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Arundel | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Hollis | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Lyman 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lyman
Is Lyman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lyman has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #32 of 143 in Maine. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (29%). 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 Lyman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lyman since 2005, $8K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Lyman 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 Lyman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lyman’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 Lyman?
By FEMA money that reached Lyman, Severe Winter Storm (2024): $91K to the Town of Lyman for repairs.
Is Lyman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Lyman’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lyman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lyman’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.